I Don't Understand My Blood Test Results Help!

[jjbrigade]

I've been reading all about these test results and I don't understand what I have. There seems to be different wording for some of the tests and I don't understand my results. I know one is high, but does that mean I've got Celiac Disease, or just a gluten intolerance  Do I need to get the biopsy done? I've been gluten-free for 3 months now, would I need to go back to eating gluten before I get the biopsy done?

 

Here are my test results:

 

Immunoglobulin A: 427 (normal range 68-378)

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, lgA: 5 (normal range 0-19)

Gliadin lgA Antibodies: 5 (normal range 0-19)

 

thanks in advance for any assistance! 

[HumanDecency]

I can't speak for going back to gluten. I have heard rumors of that but you may want to ask your doctor.

 

However, don't rely solely on these blood test results. If you were gluten free for 3 months that is more than enough time to come back with a negative blood test result. But anyway, talk to your doc and follow his suggestions we are all so different that it's hard to say. 

 

You're probably going to require a biopsy. 

[Aprilelayne]

I'm new to this as well, but I do recognize that the first exam, the one that is high is actually your control.  That IgA indicates you have enough antibodies to allow the following tests to be run. That is not indicative of celiac in of itself.

 

The following tests all show you currently in a 'negative' for celiac disease.

 

That is not to say you don't have it of course, especially with you having been glutenfree leading up to your blood tests.

 

There are others more familiar with reading the results, so please chime in

[jjbrigade]

I'm new to this as well, but I do recognize that the first exam, the one that is high is actually your control.  That IgA indicates you have enough antibodies to allow the following tests to be run. That is not indicative of celiac in of itself.

 

The following tests all show you currently in a 'negative' for celiac disease.

 

That is not to say you don't have it of course, especially with you having been glutenfree leading up to your blood tests.

 

There are others more familiar with reading the results, so please chime in

I wasn't gluten-free leading up to my test. I was tested 3 months ago and my doctor says that the high Immunoglobulin A test result indicates a gluten intolerance. But a gluten-free friend of mine said that if one of the tests comes back high that I have Celiac. I'm totally confused. So even though one of the tests came back high, I don't have Celiac? 

[kareng]

Your test that is high, just means that you are able to make the antibodies the other tests look for.  A few people cannot make the right antibodies for the test, that is why they do that test.  You would need to be eating gluten to get an accurate biopsy.  Do you have an actual copy that you could fax or scan and email?  It sounds like your doctor is confused.  You could send the test results to Chicago and see what they say.  Then show that to your doctor.  They do require an actual copy of the printout from the lab.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

 

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

 

"For most people, the serum anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) is the best antibody blood test for screening for celiac disease; however, it is important to also get a total serum IgA. Having this total serum test will help bolster the reliability of the tTG test. The reason for this is that while the tTG test is very reliable, its reliability is dependent on the premise that the person being tested adequately produces IgA. If the individual does not produce sufficient amounts of IgA and is instead IgA deficient, then tTG-IgG should be tested instead."

[kareng]

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

Also, there are currently no tests for non-celiac gluten intolerance.  You might want to share some of these links or print them out for your doctor.  Perhaps, he/she would consider them because they are from a medical center?

[jjbrigade]

Your test that is high, just means that you are able to make the antibodies the other tests look for.  A few people cannot make the right antibodies for the test, that is why they do that test.  You would need to be eating gluten to get an accurate biopsy.  Do you have an actual copy that you could fax or scan and email?  It sounds like your doctor is confused.  You could send the test results to Chicago and see what they say.  Then show that to your doctor.  They do require an actual copy of the printout from the lab.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

 

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

 

"For most people, the serum anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) is the best antibody blood test for screening for celiac disease; however, it is important to also get a total serum IgA. Having this total serum test will help bolster the reliability of the tTG test. The reason for this is that while the tTG test is very reliable, its reliability is dependent on the premise that the person being tested adequately produces IgA. If the individual does not produce sufficient amounts of IgA and is instead IgA deficient, then tTG-IgG should be tested instead."

Ok, I just want to make sure I understand what you are saying. If my Immunoglobulin A result was not high, then the test would have been inconclusive?

[kareng]

If that test was low, you would need a different way to test for Celiac.  It looks like you make plenty of the antibodies they were testing you for. 

 

Obviously, your doctor doesn't understand Celiac testing.  That is why I suggested you read and give him some info from a reliable medical source.  He would not consider an internet forum a reliable source. 

[jjbrigade]

If that test was low, you would need a different way to test for Celiac.  It looks like you make plenty of the antibodies they were testing you for. 

 

Obviously, your doctor doesn't understand Celiac testing.  That is why I suggested you read and give him some info from a reliable medical source.  He would not consider an internet forum a reliable source. 

Thank you so much! I've sent an email off to Chicago. I will wait and see what they say. Thanks!!!