Maybe IGA deficient?

[FieryGhosts]

About 5 years ago a holistic doctor did an IGG and IGA blood test. My results were normal, but she said to reduce gluten anyway. I used to get terrible migraines, which got much better on the new diet.

Im not strict with the diet and will have gluten with up to one meal on most days.

I’ve gotten worse with my diet in the past 2ish years. It’s hard to keep, when there was no definitive proof. I’ve also had worsening of symptoms, especially over the past year. A bout of rectal bleeding occurred about 1.5 years ago and again 1.5 months ago which set my regular doctor off on all sorts of tests.

Tests in 2014 (pre-diet)

IGG: 2 (normal range 0-19)

IGA: 5 (normal range 0-19)

Test in 2019 (post diet, but not strict)

IGA: <1 (normal range 0-19)

I started eating gluten just under 2 weeks before an upper endoscopy and almost immediately started feeling really sick. After the test, the doctor said everything looked normal, but he took a biopsy anyway. I’m still waiting on the results. 

Also, right when the rectal bleeding started (when not doing the best at following the diet) my regular doctor tested my Erythrocyte sedimentation rate which looks for inflammation, then I became very strict with my diet and the specialist tested it again 2 weeks later. 

First test (bad at diet): 9 (normal range 0-20)

second test (strict diet): 7 (normal range 0-20)

I see the specialist next week for the results of the biopsy. Could the results have been compromised by years of dieting, even if it’s not strict? Should I ask for an IGG test or would that be a waste? Everything is in the normal range, but I’ve read that IGA <1 is sometimes considered deficient. All the lab results say there’s a 10% chance of a false negative due to diet or low IGA.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by FieryGhosts
Adding normal ranges

[GFinDC]

Hi, There are some people who are IgA deficient, meaning they don't make much IgA antibodies.  They test for that by doing a serum or total IgA count.  You could ask if they did that test.  If you are IgA deficient the yes, the IgG test is the better way to go.

[cyclinglady]

What tests did you take?  

IgA and IgG refer  to Immunoglobulin.  I assume you were testing for celiac disease.  If just the TTG tests were given, you might ask for the entire panel and be sure to check your Immunoglobulin A (IgA) a control test when just checking for celiac disease.  But the ultimate test are the biopsies. 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

[FieryGhosts]

Thanks! I didn’t realize that the IGA test could be just a specific portion of your total IGA. 

I looked at at my test results and it says  with assessment of total IGA.  My follow up appointment is on Thursday, I can ask my doctor for more information when I see her.

[cyclinglady]

The celiac tests are:

TTG IgA

TTG IgG

DGP IgA

DGP IgG 

EMA IgA

And....Immunogobulin A (IgA).  This test is used only as a control test when checking for celiac disease.  If your body is not producing enough IgA, the IgA celiac tests are invalid or will not work.    You would also have a immune deficiency issues too.  But that is a separate issue.  

The previous link I gave you spells out the test names which are long!  ?