Has Anyone Heard Of Being Iga And Igg Deficient?

[Aurora87]

As I wrote about before, I am in the process of trying to figure out if I have celiac disease.  However, my bloodwork all comes out negative because I have IgA and IgG subclass 2 and 3 deficiencies.  

 

Has anyone else heard of having both IgA and IgG deficiencies?  I guess the biopsy would be the only way to know for sure if I have celiac, right?  I have read about having an IgA deficiency, but not both.  My doctor wants me to see an immunologist about it.  Thanks!

[1desperateladysaved]

I wish I had the answer to this as I have asked on a few occasion, but haven't figured it out.  I suspect that I had been deficient in both.

 

Dee

[SMRI]

It's very "common".  My daughter is IgA deficient and IgG subclass 2, 3 and 4 deficient.  It's usually classified as CVID Open Original Shared Link .

 

Each of the IgG subclasses point to different symptoms, 2 and 4 relate to upper respiratory issues--lots of sinus infections, strep, pneumonia, etc.  Subclass 3 is digestive issues--which is why it's important to get these tests if you suspect some gluten issues---it might not be gluten and it might just be low IgG3.  If your overall IgG is low, you have some pretty major health issues and usually land in the hospital every time you get sick.  If you are old enough to remember the movie "Boy in the Plastic Bubble", that is what he had in the movie.

 

If you are going to need a biopsy only diagnosis because of low IgA and IgG, ask that they take a LOT of samples-10 or so.

[Aurora87]

Wow, thanks for your replies.  It's comforting to know this information.  I do remember hearing something about the "Bubble Boy" but I'm glad I'm not that deficient!  I have an appointment at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in mid-October and I will bring all my test results with me.  I do think I probably need a biopsy and I will be sure that they are going to take a lot of samples.  If everything is clear, my next stop will be the immunologist.

 

Just out of curiousity, SMRI, does your daughter have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?  I would think that eliminating gluten and thus eliminating a source of inflammation might help if you have immune deficiencies, but I'm not an expert.  I will probably try a gluten free diet even if I don't have celiac to see if it helps me. 

 

Have a great weekend!

[SMRI]

Wow, thanks for your replies.  It's comforting to know this information.  I do remember hearing something about the "Bubble Boy" but I'm glad I'm not that deficient!  I have an appointment at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in mid-October and I will bring all my test results with me.  I do think I probably need a biopsy and I will be sure that they are going to take a lot of samples.  If everything is clear, my next stop will be the immunologist.

 

Just out of curiousity, SMRI, does your daughter have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?  I would think that eliminating gluten and thus eliminating a source of inflammation might help if you have immune deficiencies, but I'm not an expert.  I will probably try a gluten free diet even if I don't have celiac to see if it helps me. 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

She is not Celiac.  The two really aren't the same thing, although they have similar symptoms.  Her issues are more with getting sick all the time but she does have some digestive issues that again, are similar to Celiac but not because of gluten.

[LauraTX]

Sorry to arrive to this thread late.  SMRI gave you some great info.  I have Celiac disease and also have Common Variable Immunodeficiency with IgG and IgA deficiencies and reduced vaccine response.  CVID and low immunoglobulin levels can cause false negatives in some Celiac blood tests, and false mild positives in biopsy samples for Celiac diagnosis.  You are very lucky to have a good doctor who checked the total immunoglobulin levels.  Get on in to the immunologist... as you have indicated an understanding of already, there are varying degrees of immune deficiency issues, so the immunologist will be able to determine what is going on, and then you can bring that information to the Celiac clinic so they know what they need to do to properly diagnose you.  Autoimmune disorders are prevalent in people with CVID.  Let us know what they say, I am always very interested in any other Celiac/CVID patient other than myself.