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Question About Son's Lab Results

imstormy

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imstormy Newbie
imstormy
Posted

My son has been going to a gastro doctor on and off for several years.  He was first referred because he wasn't gaining weight.  We went through tons of tests and nothing.  A couple of years ago he was sent again because he had been having chronic diarrhea and was below weight.  He has a history of stomach issues since birth.  The gastro doctors havent found anything wrong with him.  However, the chiro we see does Kinesiology and has told me that both of my kids should not be eating gluten.  About 3 months ago I started seeing a new doctor for my fibromyalgia and all the other things that no one could help me with.  Turns out that I have psoriasis, hypothyroidism and other stuff.  She recommended I go gluten free so I did.  I have been gluten-free for a little over 2 months now.  My headaches are gone and I am feeling better.  I took my son to see her because he was having trouble concentrating, achy all over, STILL very skinny, etc.  She did some lab work and when we went back she said everything looks good but she thinks he is not absorbing his nutrients and we have done another blood test to show all of that.  She did give me a copy of his labwork and said that his Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum was low - 69 (77-278 normal).  She said she doesnt know much about it being low and wanted to research it.  Researching it for myself has brought me here and I was wondering if any one can tell me what it may mean.  I should also mention that the last time he was at the gastro they diagnosed him as "failure to thrive" but never did anything.  He is 14 years old and weighs 72 lbs!  He also has Hemophilia.

 

Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 69

t-Transglutaminase (iTG) IgA   

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

The Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum is a measure of the total amount of IgA antibodies a person makes.  The normal range for your son's age with that lab is 77-278, and your son's score is below that.  That alone increases his risk of having celiac disease.  Failure to thrive is the one sign that every doctor who has been paying attention at medical school should know is a sign of celiac disease.  Inability to absorb nutrients is an indication of possible celiac disease.  Having a mother who potentially has celiac disease is at risk for having celiac disease (your psoriasis, fibro, migraines and other symptoms and improvement gluten free). 

 

Having a low total IgA score such as your son's means that the traditional celiac testing using IgA antibodies will not give an accurate result.  It means that any testing for celiac must be done using IgG antibodies.  He will need to have:

 

AGA IgG (anti-gliadin antibodies)

tTG IgG (tissue transglutaminase antibodies)

EMA IgG (endomysial antibodies)

DGP IgG (deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies)

 

Do make sure your gastro (or a better one who knows more about celiac :) ) tests him right away.

 

Welcome to the forum, and good luck in getting a diagnosis for your son soon. :)

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

The Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum is a measure of the total amount of IgA antibodies a person makes.  The normal range for your son's age with that lab is 77-278, and your son's score is below that.  That alone increases his risk of having celiac disease.  Failure to thrive is the one sign that every doctor who has been paying attention at medical school should know is a sign of celiac disease.  Inability to absorb nutrients is an indication of possible celiac disease.  Having a mother who potentially has celiac disease is at risk for having celiac disease (your psoriasis, fibro, migraines and other symptoms and improvement gluten free). 

 

Having a low total IgA score such as your son's means that the traditional celiac testing using IgA antibodies will not give an accurate result.  It means that any testing for celiac must be done using IgG antibodies.  He will need to have:

 

AGA IgG (anti-gliadin antibodies)

tTG IgG (tissue transglutaminase antibodies)

EMA IgG (endomysial antibodies)

DGP IgG (deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies)

 

Do make sure your gastro (or a better one who knows more about celiac :) ) tests him right away.

 

Welcome to the forum, and good luck in getting a diagnosis for your son soon. :)

Yes! get all the testing done, ASAP! you don't want to lose his growth years.

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