Very Strong Postive IgG negative IgA

[CarrierAge]

Hello Everyone,

I want to thank you in advance for having a look at this post. 

I am a Caucasian male, about 50 years old.

I have been dealing with upset stomach, loose bowels and lower stomach pain for years.  About once every 2-3 months, I will get the chills, skin flush and shakes with a fever of 101-102F.  After this last attack, I made an appointment with the gastro doctor and eventually saw her at the office and then came in for a colonoscopy and CAT scan a week later.  Unbelievably, they found nothing wrong except for what she referred to as a "fatty liver."  The CAT scan included my entire mid-section from the bottom of my heart to pelvis.  I am not obese, but could lose 15-20 pounds and losing that would help (according to the doctor).  I exercise 4-5 times a week on the treadmill for 30 minutes.

My normal diet is what you refer to as "southern food" but I don't eat unhealthy either and have plenty of fiber in my diet. I take Losartan (20mg) daily for slightly elevated blood pressure.  I have elevated inter-ocular pressure and take Combigan drops 2x daily.  I also find myself having episodes of strange sensations when I move my eyes left and right, especially in the afternoons.

During the colonoscopy, the doctor took biopsies and I tested negative for Celiac.  She also tested me with a test called Celiac Ab tTG DGP TIgA.  The IGI, Gliadin IgA, Gliadin IgG and T-Transglutiminase IgA were all within the normal ranges (although the Gliadin IgG was 14.7 U/ml with a the maximum of the "standard" range.

What worried me most was the T-Transglutaminase IgG number which was 43.4 U/ml with the standard range being below 15 U/ml.  I was surprised when I actually read the test, because the doctor indicated that my tests were normal and negative for Celiac.  I contacted the doctor's office and some sort of researcher contacted me back, indicating that they really look at the T-Transglutaminase IgA numbers only, especially when a biopsy is done.

It is disconcerting to me that the  T-Transglutaminase IgG number is  almost 3X the normal limit and there is no attention being paid to it by my doctor or her staff.  My question to the board here is about that number.  Can that number, by itself - independently be related to Celiac or some other problem that's going on in my body?

Also, I seem to now be having similar symptoms again and no one seems to have any answers... Any comments would be appreciated!

[squirmingitch]

First & foremost you need to get copies of your labs & the pathology report. You should always get copies of your records & keep them for your files. 

Secondly, you say you had a colonoscopy with celiac biopsy. A colonoscopy is NOT used to dx celiac nor to take biopsies for celiac. An ENDOSCOPY is used to take biopsies for celiac disease. An endoscopy is where they put the tube down your throat, a colonoscopy is where they put the tube up your "other end".

Third, They are wrong. wrong, wrong about only looking at the TTG IgA & negating the results of the TTG IgG. That TTG IgG is significant & is absolutely a positive if it's over 3x the normal range.Yes, that is a certain indicator of celiac.

So here's the thing..... get your records, post what they say here & make sure to post not only the results of the celiac blood panel but the ref. ranges for each. The pathology report should state how many biopsies were taken & from what part of the small intestine as well as descriptors etc.....

Do NOT stop eating gluten yet -- not if you want a diagnosis. Keep eating it every day. You don't have to eat much, just a slice of bread each day or a couple of soda crackers.

[CarrierAge]

squirmingitch,

Thanks for the advice.  I have requested all of that information and should have it within a week or so. I'll post it here.  I am 100% certain that I have some sort of gluten sensitivity.  In thinking back on my life over the last 10 years, I can see a steady progression - but I never "connected the dots."  I used to travel a lot (flew all over the US) which meant that I ate out almost all of the time.  Once every few months, I would get these attacks of the "flu."  I thought it was simply a 24 hour bug thing. I would get the shakes, skin flush, fever and joint pain.  I would cram myself full of medicine and keep going, eventually feeling better after a couple of days.  This progressed into more permanent symptoms that I now endure: tinnitus (ringing in the ears), skin flushing, brain fog and strange sensations when I move my eyes left and right.  I also developed glaucoma in one eye.  I have recently been reading about the possible connection between Celiac Disease (celiac disease) and elevated inter-ocular pressures.  There are plenty of case studies regarding uveitis and other eye problems being resolved on a gluten free diet.  I am just learning about celiac disease and will continue to post here.  Thank you for your information and support. I just regret that it took me so long to figure out what was happening.  The doctors didn't seem to know or take the time to find out.