Tissue Transglutam

[MyBoo02]

Hello all, long time reader first time poster!  Question for you all, does it matter how far below 4 you are on the Tissue Transglutam blood test.  The results state <4 antibody not detected.  = or >4 antibody detected.  My very first test four years ago was 81.7 and now I am at a 3.  Do you think 3 means I am being gluten free enough or do I need to be at a 1?  Any thoughts are appreciated!!

[RMJ]

If the lab says <4 is antibody not detected then your result of 3 is great! Good job being gluten free.

[GottaSki]

Hello all, long time reader first time poster!  Question for you all, does it matter how far below 4 you are on the Tissue Transglutam blood test.  The results state <4 antibody not detected.  = or >4 antibody detected.  My very first test four years ago was 81.7 and now I am at a 3.  Do you think 3 means I am being gluten free enough or do I need to be at a 1?  Any thoughts are appreciated!!

 

Welcome Boo!

 

3 is excellent considering you started at 82!

 

It is within normal range.  If you are feeling well than there is nothing to do but stay the course, for life, every day.

 

If you have lingering symptoms, take a look at the Newbie 101 section to make sure there aren't minute sources of gluten in your life - medications, supplements, cross-contamination, etc.

 

Also, not sure if the tTG was the only test run.  The Deamidated Gliadin Peptide test is the most accurate for monitoring whether or not gluten is still being consumed.

 

It is recommended that a person with Celiac Disease get the complete celiac antibody panel annually after the antibodies drop within "normal" range.

 

Hope you are feeling well -- let us know if you have any more questions

[MyBoo02]

I had a total of three tests performed... the tTG which was 3 and IGA quant which was 229.  The range for IGA is 81-463mg/dl.  The third test just said that I was negative.  So am I still doing ok?  The reason I ask is I still do have a lot of bloating and pain.  Since going gluten free 4 years ago, my joint and bone pain has gotten progressive worse and in more places and I seem to be worse in late winter and early spring.  I have now developed Raynaud's syndrome.  My new rheumatologist believes my symptoms show a mild form of lupus even though my blood tests are normal where the first rheumatologist I saw said my pain was due to permanent damage from my Celiacs.  I like to eat out and eat at places I believe to safe (Chipotle is my best friend :\ )  Thank you for all your input!!

[GottaSki]

I had a total of three tests performed... the tTG which was 3 and IGA quant which was 229.  The range for IGA is 81-463mg/dl.  The third test just said that I was negative.  So am I still doing ok?  The reason I ask is I still do have a lot of bloating and pain.  Since going gluten free 4 years ago, my joint and bone pain has gotten progressive worse and in more places and I seem to be worse in late winter and early spring.  I have now developed Raynaud's syndrome.  My new rheumatologist believes my symptoms show a mild form of lupus even though my blood tests are normal where the first rheumatologist I saw said my pain was due to permanent damage from my Celiacs.  I like to eat out and eat at places I believe to safe (Chipotle is my best friend :\ )  Thank you for all your input!!

 

Yes, the autoimmune cascade is not always stopped when we remove gluten. 

 

Your celiac antibody tests seem fine for now -- next annual round I would ask for:

 

tTG-IgA and IgG

DGP-IgA and IgG

 

If you are going to have any tests in the foreseeable future I would get your vitamins and minerals tested to make sure you are absorbing nutrients.

 

Since you have already tested within normal range for IgA, I wouldn't worry about repeat Total Serum IgA -- which is simply a test to make sure you have enough IgA to make the celiac antibody tests as accurate as possible.

 

With bloating and chronic pain -- I would first make sure you are being as gluten-free as humanly possible in this world we live in.  Perhaps try eating only whole foods for a week and see if the pain subsides or you have less bloating.