The best celiac research minds waded into the merky waters of Gluten Sensitivity (GS) today. Many needed life jackets.
Dr. Joe Murray led off noting it was first described in 1980, characterized as a ‘self-diagnosed’ condition seemingly stemming out of IBS and at one time thought of as ‘Celiac Lite’. The experts will acknowledge that there is enough evidence to note that something is going on that isn’t CD, but still fall short of universal consensus that it is a defined condition. Dr. Volta from Italy segregated conditions as ‘Wheat Allergy’ which is a classical ‘allergy’, CD, DH & Gluten Ataxia as ‘autoimmune conditions’, and Gluten Sensitivity as an ‘immune-mediated condition’.
Other research demonstrated that there seems to be a unique IgG anti-gliadin response in about 58% of the GS cases but this still is not strong enough to consider this test as a valid screen for this condition. Most of the other reported research acknowledges common clinical symptoms – intestinal, extra-intestinal (foggy mind, joint pain, etc) – and a positive clinical response to the GFD. There were even studies to see if personality changes were different between confirmed CD and GS – basically there weren’t any other than celiacs seeming to be slightly more neurotic!
At best it seemed to be some condition between IBS and CD, with no known specific diagnostic indicators. Researchers concluded (what else!) more research was needed, along with a lot of education of healthcare providers.
CCA PAB member Dr. Decker Butzner summed up his views as:
- a distinct ‘condition’ does seem to exist
- IgG anti-gliadin serology is at best a weak diagostic indicator
- patients presenting with this condition need to be listened to and carefully examined
- CD should be ruled out before considering the GF Diet, which should then be properly managed and the patient monitored for response
I have gluten intolerance, my son has it and his son has it. My daughter’s twin boys both have it as well. None of us test positive for the gliadin antibody.
It is very real and it isn’t “celiac lite” either. We are all *very* sensitive to gluten.
It is obviously genetic too.
Hi Evan
It is possible to have celiac disease and not test positive for the IgA-tTG antibodies. Some people do not produce blood protein called immunoglobulin A so they do not create the IgA antibodies either. This selective IgA deficiency is also inherited. Whether you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, I am glad that you have all found that a strict gluten-free diet eases your symptoms.
Sue N.