Iga Blood Test Result

[CurrantCottage]

What are the "normal" ranges??? What constitutes low/deficient?

 

Thank you !!!!

 

Ali

[kareng]

Open Original Shared Link

 

"Is an IgA result of 39, where normal is 81-463, considered deficient and could it invalidate anti-IgA tests?

Any level of IgA above 20 mg/dl should make the tTG-IgA test valid, regardless of age."

 

 

 

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

"

What can I do about IgA deficiency?

You can’t do anything about IgA deficiency. However, it also doesn’t lead to any clinical issues.

If you are attempting to get an accurate diagnosis for celiac disease and you know you’re IgA deficient, or if there is some other equivocating factor to potentially compromise the blood test, then an Open Original Shared Link should also be taken."

[CurrantCottage]

Hmmm I think I'm thick, I am just getting confused !! I braved the medical secretaries and asked for a breakdown of my coeliac blood test - she said the TTG just said negative and the IgA was 2.43 and normal, just wondering if its even worth me going private and having more tests done as my IgA is ok.

 

Thank you for posting and helping me !

 

Ali

[kareng]

Hmmm I think I'm thick, I am just getting confused !! I braved the medical secretaries and asked for a breakdown of my coeliac blood test - she said the TTG just said negative and the IgA was 2.43 and normal, just wondering if its even worth me going private and having more tests done as my IgA is ok.

 

Thank you for posting and helping me !

 

Ali

 

 

Sorry.  I thought you were talking about the test to see if you even make IGA.  When yousaid "deficient" that's what I thought you meant as you aren't "deficient" if your Celiac antibody test is negative.  You want to not have very many of those.

 

 You seem to be talking about the actual antibody tests?  The tests will come with a range that is "normal".  

[CurrantCottage]

Sorry.  I thought you were talking about the test to see if you even make IGA.  When yousaid "deficient" that's what I thought you meant as you aren't "deficient" if your Celiac antibody test is negative.  You want to not have very many of those.

 

 You seem to be talking about the actual antibody tests?  The tests will come with a range that is "normal".  

 

 

Sorry - I am confusing myself let alone you !!!!  when I originally had my coeliac blood test the doctor said it was "normal", today I rang the secretaries and asked for a breakdown of it as I was thinking of going to see a GI consultant to ask for endoscopy/biopsy but having spoken to the secretaries today and them saying the IgA was 2.43 which was within the normal range, I'm thinking that I might as well just assume that I'm gluten sensitive and not coeliac and just not bother the Consultant.  Sorry- I hope that makes sense too !!!

 

Ali

[nvsmom]

The tTG IgA (tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A) test can have different ranges.  Some go from 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-9, 0-14, or 0-20.  You'll need the reference range to know where you stand.

 

Did you get the total serum IgA run?  If you are low in IgA (not tTG IgA), which 5% of celiacs are, then your IgA based celiac disease tests (tTG IgA, DGP IgA, EMA IGA) will have false negative results.  That should have been checked.

 

Did you have any other celiac tests run?  The tTG IgA can miss up to 1 in 4 celiacs.  You should have the full celiac panel run if you suspect celiac disease, especially if your symptoms are new because early celiac disease is not as easily detected.

 

The full panel:

• tTG IgA and tTG IgG (tissue transglutaminase)
• DGP IgA and DGP IgG (deaminated gliadin peptides)
• EMA IgA (endomysial antibodies)
• total serum IgA - control test
• AGA IgA and AGA IgG (anti-gliadin antibodies) - older and less reliable tests
• endoscopic biopsy - 6+ samples taken

You need to be eating gluten in the 2-3 months before testing so don't go gluten-free until testing is done.

 

Good luck!  

[CurrantCottage]

The tTG IgA (tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A) test can have different ranges.  Some go from 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-9, 0-14, or 0-20.  You'll need the reference range to know where you stand.

 

Did you get the total serum IgA run?  If you are low in IgA (not tTG IgA), which 5% of celiacs are, then your IgA based celiac disease tests (tTG IgA, DGP IgA, EMA IGA) will have false negative results.  That should have been checked.

 

Did you have any other celiac tests run?  The tTG IgA can miss up to 1 in 4 celiacs.  You should have the full celiac panel run if you suspect celiac disease, especially if your symptoms are new because early celiac disease is not as easily detected.

 

The full panel:

• tTG IgA and tTG IgG (tissue transglutaminase)
• DGP IgA and DGP IgG (deaminated gliadin peptides)
• EMA IgA (endomysial antibodies)
• total serum IgA - control test
• AGA IgA and AGA IgG (anti-gliadin antibodies) - older and less reliable tests
• endoscopic biopsy - 6+ samples taken

You need to be eating gluten in the 2-3 months before testing so don't go gluten-free until testing is done.

 

Good luck!  

 

Thank you so much for the explanation !!!  To be honest, I'm not sure what my GP tested for, she's always very "business like" and just says results are postive or negative or whatever they might be, and doesnt like to be questioned and doesnt give printouts of results!!!!  I've got an appointment on Monday to ask for a referral to a Consultant as my husband has private health insurance for us through his job, I just keep dithering about cancelling it and just going gluten free regardless as it seems the easiest option rather than tackling my doctor for a referral !!!  That said I will regret not being checked properly!

 

Ali

[nvsmom]

Your GP should be able to order all the tests I've mentioned, as long as they are willing to listen to you that is.  

 

Try to get a copy of your test results.  I had no idea how badly my health had been managed by my doctor until she retired and I got my records from her - there were so many things that should have been looked into more closely, including subclinical hypothyroidism - I should have started meds over 15 years ago. 

 

Good luck, Ali.

[CurrantCottage]

Your GP should be able to order all the tests I've mentioned, as long as they are willing to listen to you that is.  

 

Try to get a copy of your test results.  I had no idea how badly my health had been managed by my doctor until she retired and I got my records from her - there were so many things that should have been looked into more closely, including subclinical hypothyroidism - I should have started meds over 15 years ago. 

 

Good luck, Ali.

 

Thanks Nicole - I will try and be brave with her next week !!!  It is scary - my friend Issy had so many health issues ignored by the doctor for years, in the end she changed doctors and within weeks she'd been diagnosed with thyroid issues, put on medication and could work, enjoy life etc again with feeling drained and exhausted!  How awful to not have hypothyroidism go undetected for so many years, thats dreadful  !!!!

 

 

Ali 

[nvsmom]

LOL  I don't like doctors much either.  I have to write everything down, in the order I want to say it, or I get flustered and forget things.  My new doctor is a much nicer human being so it's a bit easier now than with past doctors, but still... I turn beet red as soon as I start talking.  I'm 41, you'd think I would've outgrown that by now.  LOL

 

Many of us went with undiagnosed issues for a long time.  I think I read somewhere that the average celiac goes 10 years undiagnosed.  Sadly, not feeling well becomes our new normal once you get used to it.  Keep pushing - don't accept this as normal.  

 

Keep us updated.

[Mereloo]

Darn! I know my total IgA level is 33 from a test a few years ago, but I'm still nervous it may come up with a false negative anyhow; and I think my doctor only ordered the Ttg. At least I know the IgG was included in the tests. He's testing for the genes too.Not sure if I want it to be positive or not bc my digestive issues aren't that bad, but I do have depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Taking the test because I'm hoping if it's positive those things will improve. 

 

I've known about the IgA deficiency since I was three, since I'm one of those lucky few who actually had symptoms (pneumonia 6 times). My level was 5 back then. Took the test on Tuesday and going crazy waiting for the results to come back! (I know it was only two days ago, and it make take a while. I'm just and anxious Annie.)