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Igg Levels

SuzieQ

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SuzieQ Rookie
SuzieQ
Posted

I have only had two blood tests done- an IgA and an IgG specific to glutaidin (sp?). My IgG was high. Does anyone know of any other diseases that could cause this to be high while the IgA was normal? I am debating whether or not to even see the gastroenterologist my doctor set me up with. He apparently doesn't know much about Celiac Disease, nor does any Gastro in my area.

What are the benefits of having a definite diagnosis?

Thank you.

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wolfie Enthusiast
wolfie
Posted

Not sure about other diseases, but the benefits of a definite diagnosis are important, especially if you do have Celiac, you will need to stick to a gluten free diet for the rest of your life. If you haven't gone gluten free yet, don't do so until after seeing the GI, who will most likey do an endoscopy/biopsy to diagnose.

I made the mistake of going gluten free before my GI appt and felt amazingly better. Then the GI wanted me to eat gluten again for the test.....I passed on the test. My IgG was elevated too and IgA was normal. The positive blood test and positive dietery response is enough for me to follow the diet for the rest of my life. If I had it to do over, I would have waited on the gluten-free diet and had the endoscopy.

Good luck and maybe someone else will come along and talk about other diseases, if any, that can cause the IgG to be elevated.

Kim

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

What I do know about IgG levels is that they tend to rise and fall slowly, as opposed to IgAs which rise and fall quickly. So if you were on a gluten-free diet, typically the IgG levels could still be above normal while the IgA had returned to normal. I personally like having a biopsed/blood tested diagnosis because it allows me to track my progress via follow-up blood panels and a second endoscopy, which I'll have later this month. That is really the main reason for me.

SuzieQ Rookie
SuzieQ
Posted
  • Author

Thanks you guys for sharing your experiences. I really appreciate it. My Gastro appt. is 2/22, so I will try to eat some gluten each day between now and the appt. I don't really know when or if he'll schedule a biopsy, so I want to be "prepared". I think for a definitive diagnosis and for the sake of my child, who if I am positive for Celiac via the biopsy, I'd also like to have tested, I will have a biopsy done.

Eating gluten free, I am feeling so much better already. Instead of breakfast cereal, a sandwich on whole wheat with Wheat thins, and Fried chicken, with veggies and a biscuit as a sample daily meal, I'll just have one gluten food each day. That much of a reduction shouldn't make me test negatvie on a biopsy should it?

Thanks again.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

This isn't exactly what you are talking about, but read this article, discusses how gluten challenges, going back to gluten after being gluten-free, doesn't always give accurate results: https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1281

SuzieQ Rookie
SuzieQ
Posted
  • Author
This isn't exactly what you are talking about, but read this article, discusses how gluten challenges, going back to gluten after being gluten-free, doesn't always give accurate results: https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1281

Thanks Jen! That article is very helpful.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Good, I'm glad! Let us know what happens!

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TCA Contributor
TCA
Posted

My son's IgG was very high (53) and the IgA slightly elevated (21). At first the GI said he didn't have it, but after the genteic test and an extremely successful gluten-free diet trial he now has a diagnosis. HIs Ttg and EMA were both negative, but his biopsies (2) were negative too. I later found out that the TTG and the EMA are both inidicators of intestinal damage. He's only 3, so that's why the others weren't elevated - he hasn't had enough time to have that much damage. We're in week 5 of the diet and life is MUCH better!

Good luck!

Lollie Enthusiast
Lollie
Posted

I just read this yesterday- I wonder if diet alone is enough to decide? I too have had a challenging time with dx- what with blood levels and a doc who doesn't care..... :blink:

I was told to go gluten-free for a week or so until my GI visit....then go back on gluten for a day or two before the testing.... maybe that's why my test results are so baffeling!

I'm glad your son is doing better and thank God you were able to figure it out while he was so little!!!!!

-Lollie

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    • heart390
      Why now?

      By heart390 · Posted

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      @ainsleydale1700, the additional test information you provided is very significant! Here is the important part: "This test detects IgG antibodies to tTG (tissue transglutaminase), and was performed because your IgA level is below normal. The immune response that occurs in celiac disease often leads to IgG antibodies against tTG." It looks to me that you may be a "seronegative" celiac. The frontline diagnostic tests for celiac disease are IGA tests, especially the tTG-IGA. However, another IGA test ("total IGA") was done to check you for IGA deficiency and you were found to be deficient. That means that the usual IGA tests done to diagnose celiac disease, such as the tTG-IGA, would not be reliable. That is why the IGG testing was done "reflexively" (which means in response to the results of a previous test, i.e., the total IGA test.). The IGG tests are not quite as reliable as the IGA tests for diagnosing celiac disease, meaning, there are more "other" possible causes for elevated IGG test scores. The IGG test did give a borderline positive result, however, so the physician ordered the endoscopy with biopsy to check for damage to the small bowel lining that would be caused by untreated (continuing to consume gluten) celiac disease. The biopsy showed no damage so the doc concluded you do not have celiac disease. However, the monkey wrench in the gears of the doc's conclusion is that he gave you permission to proceed with the gluten free diet which would have allowed for healing of the small bowel lining to commence. How long were you gluten free before the biopsy was taken? And how much damage to the small bowel lining was there to begin with? If the damage was minimal, it might have been fully healed by the time the biopsy was done. And the symptoms you describe involving vitamin and mineral deficiencies, tooth enamel loss, cessation of menses, neuropathy, constipation alternating with diarrhea . . . IMO all scream of celiac disease as opposed to NCGS.
    • trents
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    • heart390
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      THANK YOU Trents!!!  No, I have not been tested - but have several autoimmune diseases ( MS over 50 yrs.) MAJOR GAS  & fatigue are my most severe problems.  Possibility STRESS helped kick it off?  It's a sad additional problem to add to the latter part of my life!
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