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lyndacarol wrote:I seem to be bumping into the idea of gluten intolerance/celiac disease everywhere I turn lately. In a conversation about peripheral neuropathy, Annesse supplied the following link to work from the University of Chicago:

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchic ... tion.shtml


In pursuing links further, I thought this description of a neurological exam might be helpful to people who have asked what to expect and whether or not they should take a list of symptoms to the appointment:

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchic ... #bloodtest


But then, I read the following section on blood tests (I thought Jimmylegs would be especially pleased to see the mention about vitamin deficiencies; Cheerleader, to see vascular evaluation on the list; others, Lyme disease.) and, with recent reading, think it is important to request testing for "antibodies related to celiac"among the others when neuropathy is a symptom. I think this will make a good composite recommendation for blood tests… What other additions should there be? Insulin? Cpn? Others? Where is the logical location of this for newbies?


Blood tests

Blood tests are commonly employed to check for vitamin deficiencies, toxic elements and evidence of an abnormal immune response.
Depending on your individual situation, your doctor may request certain laboratory tests to identify potentially treatable causes for neuropathy. These include tests for:
Vitamin B12 and folate levels
Thyroid, liver and kidney functions
Vasculitis evaluation
Oral glucose tolerance test
Antibodies to nerve components (e.g., anti-MAG antibody)
Antibodies related to celiac disease
Lyme disease
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C and B



Edited 9/24/13: According to Dr. William Davis, the real problem in wheat is a new protein gliadin: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162- ... ctor-says/

mrbarlow wrote:Test for coeliacs came back negative.

Other test results (comments Jimmy Legs - please )

Uric acid - 0.37 mmol/L
Glucose (fasting) 5.0 mmol/L
Calcium - 2.41 mmol/L
B12 - 707pg/ml
Iron - 21umol/L
TSH - 1.6
25 Hydroxy Vit D - 167 nmol/L

lyndacarol wrote:

mrbarlow wrote:Test for coeliacs came back negative.

Other test results (comments Jimmy Legs - please )

Uric acid - 0.37 mmol/L
Glucose (fasting) 5.0 mmol/L
Calcium - 2.41 mmol/L
B12 - 707pg/ml
Iron - 21umol/L
TSH - 1.6
25 Hydroxy Vit D - 167 nmol/L

I am curious to know exactly which tests for celiac disease were done – anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA)? anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA)? anti-tissue transglutaminase?

Or was endoscopy/biopsy done?

Or perhaps a video capsule endoscopy (VCE)? http://celiac.org/blog/2012/11/06/diagn ... diagnosis/

I have read that a person can be gluten sensitive even though he tests negatively for celiac disease – perhaps this is the case with you, mrbarlow. Maybe a test for intestinal permeability would be useful:

Intestinal Permeability Assessment – This test is administered by a healthcare professional, and it involves drinking a liquid solution of mannitol and lactulose. Urine is then collected over a 6-hour period. If high levels of both molecules are found, it indicates a leaky gut condition. If low levels of both molecules are found, it indicates general mal-absorption of all nutrients.