Please Help With Blood Work Results

[nikkintodd]

Looking for help with my bloodwork results. I am scheduled for my EGD/biopsy next week.

 

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA 3 units

Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG 8 unites

t-Transglutaminase tTG Iga <2 U/ml

 

All of these showed in normal range of report

 

Note on report:  Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) has been identified as the endomysial antigen.  Studies have demonstrated that endomysial IgA antibodies have over 99% specificity for gluten sensitive enteropathy.

 

Then continues...

 

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgG <2 U/ml

 

Endomysial Antibody IgA POSITIVE

 

Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 91 mg/dL

 

My confusion is the note - it talks about what has been identified as the endomysial anitbody but it looks like my numbers were in the normal range.  Was this note just a random point that is on all blood work results?

 

Also, the Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum range it shows is 91-414.  I received a 91 - that's probably pretty bad isn't it??

[psawyer]

Also, the Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum range it shows is 91-414.  I received a 91 - that's probably pretty bad isn't it??

That test is not for celiac disease. It measures the overall level of IgA activity in your system, and validates (or invalidates) results of other IgA tests. If this test is below the normal range, negatives on other IgA tests may be false. Your number is at the extreme low end of the normal range, and may influence how the other IgA test result is interpreted.

 

Studies have demonstrated that endomysial IgA antibodies have over 99% specificity for gluten sensitive enteropathy.

Whether that is boiler plate on all reports is uncertain. But it refers to the test with "POSITIVE" as a result. "Gluten sensitive enteropathy" is another name for celiac disease. In other words, a positive is 99% sure to mean celiac disease.

[nikkintodd]

For anyone interested in my full story - here it is....

 

To start with - my stools were always a problem.  My mother admits now that she doesn't remember me ever going to the bathroom.  She thought I had some sort of emotional problem from my parent's divorce.  At about 10 I started having horrible pains in my stomach.  Went to the ER a few times only to be told that I was completely full of fecal matter and that is why I was in so much pain.  They gave me pills went I went that took care of the pain.

 

Side note - got mono a couple of times in my teens.

 

At 26 my husband and I started trying to get pregant.  It took a few months but I wasn't too concerned.  At about 6 weeks pregnant I started bleeding.  Went to the doctor and was told I was previously pregnant with twins but lost one of them.  They put me on a steroid to help my placenta keep the remaining baby.  Pregnancy continued uneventful until I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. 

 

I'm 30 now - fyi.

 

2 years ago I started running in the morning but my knees swelled up so badly that I had to quit.  Couldn't even go up and down stairs.  Went to the doctor, a sports therapist, and a physical therapist.  I was told I had arthritis by the sports injury therapist.  I later went to a chiropractor and have since gotten some relief.  In the last two years I have also developed numbess in my toes/feet.  I've always had it in my hands and have always had cold hands.

 

Within the last year I have had many symptoms appear.  My hair has changed texture. I have a serious case of IRRATIONAL irritability, depression and anxiety.  I have had horrible hangovers and drinking beer.  Also, have researching I have realized that the skin problems I have fought my entire life (chicken skin) can be a symptom of celiac. Also have been coughing up phlegm every morning for over a year.  I'm also a smoker so that has been dismissed by every doctor I have mentioned it to.

 

I got my first colonscopy 3 years ago (at 27) and 3 polyps were found.  Had a follow up conoscopy last year - 4 polyps found.

 

So, as I am reading about celiac - it looks like the story of my life! Lots more examples like this but this is probably long enough for my first day on the boards.

[nvsmom]

EMA IgA only appears positive in blood tests after there has been extensive damage to the villi of the intestines - it is often negative in very young children or in people who have very recently developed celiac disease because there has not been enough time for enough damage to occur for a positive test.

 

EMA is very specific to celiac disease. If you have a positive titre, then you most likely have celiac disease. Especially in the light of all the symptoms you mentioned.   Regardless of what you biopsy shows - if damage is patchy it can be missed - you should go on the gluten-free diet to prevent damaging your health further. Request at least 6-8 samples be taken to increase your chances of an accurate biopsy.

 

Good luck with the biopsy and welcome to the board.