Jump to content

  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Please Shed Some Insight On This Blood Test

karat514

Recommended Posts

karat514 Newbie
karat514
Posted

Hello all: Could you please shed some insight on this blood test.  I have the results in hand and was told things are in normal range.  It reads as follows:

 

 

Test                                                                         

 

Tissue Transglutaminase IGA

>          Transglutaminase AB (IGA)                           Flag Reference

 

                             <1  (my result)                               <4 U/ML        | CPF

 

(that is exactly how it reads.  No more no less.)

 

 

Other than being told this was normal, I have no idea if this a pretty good indicator that I DO NOT have Celiac. 

 

Thank you in advance from someone who is frustrated 

 

 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

I share your frustration that they ran only this one test :(   They did not even run the total serum IgA which would tell us if you make normal quantities of IgA and that therefore IgA testing can be relied upon.  Doctors are in love with the tTG but it can be negative in people who will test positive on other celiac blood tests like the DGP (a newer test, and more sensitive and more specific for the development of celiac, i.e., shows results earlier and damage less likely to be caused by something else if positive).  The EMA is also a very specific test for celiac but they don't normally run this unless the tTG is positive.  But your tTG IgA will not be positive if you do not produce normal quantities of IgA - so it's Catch 22.  Is there any chance of talking whoever ordered your test to also order:

 

Total Serum IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

karat514 Newbie
karat514
Posted
  • Author

I share your frustration that they ran only this one test :(   They did not even run the total serum IgA which would tell us if you make normal quantities of IgA and that therefore IgA testing can be relied upon.  Doctors are in love with the tTG but it can be negative in people who will test positive on other celiac blood tests like the DGP (a newer test, and more sensitive and more specific for the development of celiac, i.e., shows results earlier and damage less likely to be caused by something else if positive).  The EMA is also a very specific test for celiac but they don't normally run this unless the tTG is positive.  But your tTG IgA will not be positive if you do not produce normal quantities of IgA - so it's Catch 22.  Is there any chance of talking whoever ordered your test to also order:

 

Total Serum IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

Yes, I follow up on March 12 because on Feb. 18 I had a colonoscopy.  The reason being, Dr. leaning toward IBS but wanted to rule out other things before putting me on meds.  Said that I am at an age where things could go wrong (I'm 45).  Again, just to be on safe side. 

 

After colonoscopy when Dr was speaking with my husband, he told my hubby that test went well however, he did remove a polyp and took a few biopsies but didn't expect them to be a problem.  Therefore, he handed my husband a script for Levsin for me to take. 

 

I have not started meds.  I really do not want to take it if i can improve things with my diet.  With that being said, I have been wheat/gluten free for only one week now and compared to the way I was feeling, I feel amazing!  Still not 100% but feel very healthy like. 

 

A brief history- I was told I cried the first 2 years of my life because I had colic (was born in 67).  Always very sickly and skinny.  My mom said it wasn't until I had my appendix out (via emergency surgery at the age of 8) that I started to "fill out".  Therefore, she thought I must have been born with a bad appendix.

 

In 2003 I had my gallbladder removed so, all my bowel issues over the years, I blamed it on not having a GB.  Said "issues" mostly happens right after eating, sometimes, I haven't even finished eating and I'd be running to the bathroom.  Also, first thing in the morning as soon as my feet hit the floor i'd be running to the bathroom as well. 

 

Not to mention the bloating and gas so bad I looked pregnant and it hurt to touch as well.  And the exhaustion so bad that I would ask myself "am I really that lazy?"  I forced myself to get through days.  I'd go to bed tired and I'd wake up tired no matter how much I slept. 

 

Anyway, back to the blood test.  I'm no expert, but just from what I posted above...I'm NOT impressed! 

 

Love this site!   And have a great day!

K

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Welcome to the board. That you feel much better after being on the diet a week is a good sign that you are someone who needs to be gluten free. Now on to the bad news.... If you are going to have any more testing done for celiac you need to get back on gluten. Otherwise you risk a false negative. Too bad your GI didn't do an endo at the same time he did the other scope. That is what you need for celiac diagnosis. If when you add gluten back in your body reacts badly you do have the answer no matter what the tests results.

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

IBS is a symptom not a diagnosis, aka we have no idea what is going on with your gut.

karat514 Newbie
karat514
Posted
  • Author

IBS is a symptom not a diagnosis, aka we have no idea what is going on with your gut.

Agreed.  Hence the reason why I haven't been so quick to take the meds. 

karat514 Newbie
karat514
Posted
  • Author

Welcome to the board. That you feel much better after being on the diet a week is a good sign that you are someone who needs to be gluten free. Now on to the bad news.... If you are going to have any more testing done for celiac you need to get back on gluten. Otherwise you risk a false negative. Too bad your GI didn't do an endo at the same time he did the other scope. That is what you need for celiac diagnosis. If when you add gluten back in your body reacts badly you do have the answer no matter what the tests results.

Thank you.  I figured I'd just try gluten free on my own and until my follow up on the 12th.  I have to admit I feel so much better that I am not looking forward to going back to gluten even short term, but I will if I must.  Both tests done at once would have been ideal but, it is what it is. 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

If you have been gluten free for only one week, it is not too late to get back on gluten right away.  That way you will not have to do a full challenge.  If you wait until the 12th, you will probably have to eat it for an additional six weeks, which will not seem very short term to you after having experienced the benefits of being gluten free (we always feel worse when we resume eating it :( )  As a matter of fact, depending on the relationship you have with the doctor, you can even call and ask him to mail you a blood slip for the other necessary tests or just stop by his office and pick it up and have the blood drawn right now; but do get back on gluten before it's too late. :unsure:    You can tell the doctor how much better you are feeling already!

karat514 Newbie
karat514
Posted
  • Author

If you have been gluten free for only one week, it is not too late to get back on gluten right away.  That way you will not have to do a full challenge.  If you wait until the 12th, you will probably have to eat it for an additional six weeks, which will not seem very short term to you after having experienced the benefits of being gluten free (we always feel worse when we resume eating it :( )  As a matter of fact, depending on the relationship you have with the doctor, you can even call and ask him to mail you a blood slip for the other necessary tests or just stop by his office and pick it up and have the blood drawn right now; but do get back on gluten before it's too late. :unsure:    You can tell the doctor how much better you are feeling already!

Oh thank you but that is not what I wanted to hear.  Lol.  I just assumed feeling better after only one week was not enough time to know for sure before I reintroduce gluten.  But if this is a gluten thing then six weeks eating gluten sounds worse.   Do I have to go crazy with the gluten or can I just have small amounts here and there? I guessing if this is a gluten issue even small amounts will make me feel like crap again. 

 

Thanks,

K

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

I would eat quite a bit the first day to make up for the days you haven't been eating it, but then just the equivalent of a slice or two of bread, or a few crackers or whatever.  No need to kill yourself :D   You just have to give the antibody factory enough raw material to work with :lol:   And yes, I'm sorry, it probably will make you feel like crap - or even worse.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,083
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Melvac
    Newest Member
    Melvac
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Sigh. I posted this yesterday based on the Safeway website. I went back again today to their website to double check. On the page where they are selling Vanilla Bean flavor, it has a distinct Certified Gluten Free label. Other flavors on the Safeway website didn't have the gluten-free statement. Today I went into the store. None of the flavors I looked at, including Vanilla Bean, have a Gluten Free statement. Is it safe? Who knows. The ingredients are either safe or nearly safe (some have "natural flavor"). There are warnings about "contains milk and soy" but not about wheat - this implies they are safe, but again, who knows. On the other hand, every flavor I checked of their Slow Churn line of ice creams has wheat as an ingredient. 100% not safe.
    • knitty kitty
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Do keep in mind that many of the newly diagnosed have lactose intolerance.  This is because the villi lining the intestinal tract are damaged, and can no longer make the enzyme lactAse which breaks down the milk sugar lactOse.  When the villi grow back (six months to two years), they can again produce the enzyme lactAse, and lactose intolerance is resolved.  However, some people (both those with and without Celiac Disease) are genetically programmed to stop producing lactase as they age.   Do be aware that many processed foods, including ice cream, use Microbial Transglutaminase, a food additive commonly called "meat glue," used to enhance texture and flavor.  This microbial transglutaminase has the same immunogenicity as tissue transglutaminase which the body produces in response to gluten in people with Celiac Disease.  Tissue Transglutaminase (tTg IgA) is measured to diagnose Celiac Disease in blood tests.  Microbial Transglutaminase acts the same as Tissue Transglutaminase, causing increased intestinal permeability and inflammation.   New findings show that microbial transglutaminase may be able to trigger Celiac Disease and other autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.   Microbial Transglutaminase is not required to be listed on ingredients labels as it's considered a processing aid, not an ingredient in the U.S.  Microbial Transglutaminase has been GRAS for many years, but that GRAS standing is being questioned more and more as the immunogenicity of microbial transglutaminase is being discovered. Interesting Reading:  Microbial Transglutaminase Is a Very Frequently Used Food Additive and Is a Potential Inducer of Autoimmune/Neurodegenerative Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537092/
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      There is a 10 year old post in this forum on Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream. The information is somewhat outdated and the thread is closed to further comment, so here is a new one. Edy's And Dreyer's Grand Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - 1.5 Quart is labeled "Gluten Free". This is a different answer than years gone by. I don't know the answer for any other flavor at this moment. On 1 May, 2026, Edy's website says: "As a general rule, the gluten in Edy's and Dreyer's® frozen dessert products is present only in the added bakery products, such as cookies, cake or brownies. We always label the eight major food allergens on our package by their common name. We recommend to always check the label for the most current information before purchasing and/or consuming a product. The exception to this rule is our Slow Churned French Silk frozen dairy dessert, which contains gluten in the natural flavors." https://www.icecream.com/us/en/brands/edys-and-dreyers/faq It seems that Edy's and Dreyer's are more celiac-friendly than they were 10 years ago. Once I found enough information to make today's buying decision, I stopped researching.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      EDG 3 years ago fine, now it shows focal villous blunting,

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      probably not your situation @Mimiof2, but allow me to add one more to @trents list of celiac-mimics: "olmesartan-induced sprue-like enteropathy"  
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      My dad had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.  Fortunately, it was discovered during an exam.  The doctor could feel my dad's heart beating in his stomach/abdomen.  The aneurysm burst when the doctor first touched it in surgery.  Since he was already hooked up to the bypass machine, my dad survived ten more years.  Close call! Triple A's can press on the nerves in the spinal cord causing leg pain.  I'm wondering if bowing the head might have increased the pressure on an aneurysm and then the nerves.   https://gulfcoastsurgeons.com/understanding-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-symptoms-and-causes/ Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as a Claudication https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4040638/
×
×
  • Create New...