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Folks,
        I am an adult-diagnosed celiac (biopsy-diagnosed 3 years ago,
after suffering from diarrhea and weight loss for 5 months).  I've
been on the GF diet for 3 years - don't intentionally eat gluten,
but probably have had hidden gluten at restaurants occasionally.
        I recently have had blood test results that I don't think
are related to celiac disease, but thought I'd see if anyone else
had seen anything like this.  A few months ago, I got a call from
the Blood Bank saying I was no longer eligible to donate blood
because I had twice tested positive for the HTLV1 virus (hint -
it's not a great one to have - HTLV3 = HIV!!!) on the screening
test.  However, a more specific test, the Western Blot, was negative
both times.  The test has been repeated twice more, using different
labs, with the same results - positive on the screening, negative
on the Western Blot.  The Blood Bank, my internist, and an infectious
disease specialist that he consulted all say unequivocally (and
I believe them) that the Western Blot is the defining test, and
that I DO NOT have the HTLV1 virus.  But none of them knows what
in my blood is making me show up positive on the screening test.
Although I feel fine, it makes me wonder if something else IS wrong.
I wondered if it could be something to do with celiac sprue, but
my GI doctor and the Blood Bank weren't aware of any connection.
        So, has anybody seen a blood test result like this?
Thanks in advance!
 
                                Patty Vollherbst
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