High, Normal & Low Results on Celiac Panel

[kellibee 1]

In an effort to figure out my worsening digestive issues, recently had some food allergy testing done. The celiac panel came back with positive results, according to my primary care doc.  However, he really couldn't tell me much, other than to go see a GI. After doing some research online about tTG, IgA, DGP and so forth... I am pretty confused about my results! Especially the high, normal and low results.  Just wondering if anyone here may have some insight, just to satisfy my curiosity until my GI appointment, of course:

tTG Antibody, IgA: High - 37.65 Units (Reference baseline is <=19.99)

tTG Antibody IgA Result: Positive

DGP Antibody IgA: 11.18 Units (Reference baseline is <=19.99)

DGP Antibody IgA Result: Negative

IgA: Low - 61 mg/dL (Reference baseline is 81-463)

Thanks all

[cyclinglady 1,663]

Your iGA result of 61 means that you are iga deficient, thus the iga tests you took (ttg and DGP) are not accurrate.  Your GI will probably need to run the IgG tests (ttg and DGP).  But you still managed a ttg iga positive.   You might very well have celiac disease!  Besides blood tests,  an endoscopy (obtaining four to six biopsies) is usually ordered.  Keep eating gluten until all testing is complete (this is critical).  

Good luck and welcome to the forum!  

[frieze 131]

but cycling, she was + on two IgA  tests INSPITE of being deficient!!

[kareng 2,318]

But she isn't really IGA deficient as it pertains to Celiac.  There is no tests with ranges just for Celiac.  In Celiac, IGA deficient is less than 20.  

 

"What level is considered IgA deficient for someone being diagnosed with celiac disease?

IgA deficiency (as it pertains to a celiac diagnosis) is a value less than 20 mg/do."

   

 http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/what-level-is-considered-iga-deficient-for-someone-being-diagnosed-with-celiac-disease

Edited January 10, 2016 by kareng

[kellibee 1]

Interesting.  Thanks all for your input!! Will update after GI appt!

[cyclinglady 1,663]

2 hours ago, kareng said:

But she isn't really IGA deficient as it pertains to Celiac.  There is no tests with ranges just for Celiac.  In Celiac, IGA deficient is less than 20.  

 

"What level is considered IgA deficient for someone being diagnosed with celiac disease?

IgA deficiency (as it pertains to a celiac diagnosis) is a value less than 20 mg/do."

   

 http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/what-level-is-considered-iga-deficient-for-someone-being-diagnosed-with-celiac-disease

Thanks, Karen, for the correction! ?

[squirmingitch 696]

kellibee, you asked about high, normal & low...all that matters is that you were positive on the ttg IgA. A positive is a positive no matter how high or how low as long as it's positive. It's like being "a little bit pregnant" -- you can't be a little bit pregnant -- you either are or you aren't. 

Since it can not be stressed enough, I will repeat what cyclinglady said.

KEEP EATING GLUTEN UNTIL ALL TESTING IS COMPLETE & THAT INCLUDES ENDOSCOPIC BIOPSIES. 

[cyclinglady 1,663]

3 hours ago, frieze said:

but cycling, she was + on two IgA  tests INSPITE of being deficient!!

Karen is right, Kellibee is out range on the IGA deficiency test.  That does not make her IGA deficient.  frieze, I interpreted that she had a positive on the TTG test.   The second line TTG could be just the lab stating it was positive.  

Lesson learned for me -- think before I post.  Maybe not post all after spending two solid days at a water polo tournament!  I think I am more exhausted than my kid (can that be possible?). 

Anyway, keep us posted Kelli and welcome to the forum!  I wish you well.  ?

[kellibee 1]

Hi friends, a follow-up question!

My endoscopy is scheduled in 1.5 weeks, and I'm wondering if I need to eat gluten up until the day before the scope or perhaps I can stop eating it a few days before?  The reason I ask is that I am MISERABLE right now, I have been eating more gluten than usual in an effort to make sure I have some every day before the scope, and I just want some relief as soon as possible!

Also, because I live in a state where I can get direct medical testing from Theranos, and because I am curious, (and because I have no patience!), I ordered their Celiac panel since it had the IgG values that my doctor's test didn't have:

TTA IGA:  Weak Positive - 6  (baseline of 0-3, with a note that over 40 correlates with Celiac disease)

TTA IGG: Positive - 22 (baseline of 0-5)

Gliadin IGA: Negative - 11 (baseline of 0-19)

Gliadin IGG: Positive - 46 (baseline 0-19)

Needless to say, it only confirmed my confusion over the blood testing and I'm very curious about what the endoscopy results will be.  I just want to feel better.

[squirmingitch 696]

No, kellibee, you should NOT quit eating gluten ANY TIME before the scope. Don't risk screwing up your biopsies for sake of a few days. But you don't have to eat a ton of gluten --- 1 slice of bread or a couple crackers each day. 

[kellibee 1]

Well, got my scope results today and they were positive for Celiac.  Not too surprised and actually relieved to have an explanation for all my symptoms.  I've been gluten free since the day of my scope and already can feel a difference.  Every time I google a question I have about a food or a symptom, a celiac.com forum board seems to come up... feeling really grateful to have this resource online for the million questions I have now!!!!!!

[cyclinglady 1,663]

Glad you know where you stand!  You can only get better!  Questions?  Ask away!  ?

[squirmingitch 696]

21 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

Glad you know where you stand!  You can only get better!  Questions?  Ask away!  ?

I stand behind this statement as well.