Help determining normal levels of TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IMMUNOGLOBULIN A

[Kklopp]

Hi all! 

I was diagnosed with Celiac through endoscopy and biopsy 6 years ago, and though the first couple years I definitely made some mistakes, have had a strict gluten free diet and household for the past 3 years. Tested TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IMMUNOGLOBULIN A year ago at 20 and my doctor was concerned that it was not lower. New test result this week showing 15. I’d love some insight if other Celiacs have a 0, or if anyone else is in this 15-20 range? I honestly don’t know enough about this test or what is considered ‘healing and normal’ levels for Celiacs. Would love your thoughts! 
 

 

[Wheatwacked]

Trace gluten contamination may play a role in mucosal and clinical recovery  n a subgroup of diet-adherent non-responsive celiac disease patients

...yet some NRCD patients may simply be reacting to gluten cross-contamination. Here we describe the effects of a 3-6 month diet of whole, unprocessed foods, termed the Gluten Contamination Elimination Diet (GCED), on NRCD. We aim to demonstrate that this diet reclassifies the majority of patients thought to have RCD type 1

[trents]

Kklop, welcome to the forum!

What were the reference ranges used for establishing what is normal for both blood draws? Was the same lab used to analyze the blood samples in both cases? You may not realize it (and I wonder if your doctor does as well) that there is no industry standard for concocting celiac antibody tests so the range used for normal will vary from lab to lab. Different labs use different ranges. So, for instance, let's take the tTG-IGA test you mention. Lab A uses a range of 0-3 as normal and your score is 15, then you would be positive. If lab B uses a range of 0-16 as normal, then your score puts you in the normal range.

Do you have access to the lab reports from the two blood draws? Can you post the data, reference ranges as well as your scores?

Aside from that, failure to see celiac antibody scores drop when attempting to eat gluten free is almost always due to gluten finding its way into the diet in unexpected ways. Studies have shown that most people who believe they are eating gluten free are in reality eating a lower gluten diet. This is especially true for those who still eat out. Perhaps this will help:

 

[Kklopp]

26 minutes ago, trents said:

Kklop, welcome to the forum!

What were the reference ranges used for establishing what is normal for both blood draws? Was the same lab used to analyze the blood samples in both cases? You may not realize it (and I wonder if your doctor does as well) that there is no industry standard for concocting celiac antibody tests so the range used for normal will vary from lab to lab. Different labs use different ranges. So, for instance, let's take the tTG-IGA test you mention. Lab A uses a range of 0-3 as normal and your score is 15, then you would be positive. If lab B uses a range of 0-16 as normal, then your score puts you in the normal range.

Do you have access to the lab reports from the two blood draws? Can you post the data, reference ranges as well as your scores?

Aside from that, failure to see celiac antibody scores drop when attempting to eat gluten free is almost always due to gluten finding its way into the diet in unexpected ways. Studies have shown that most people who believe they are eating gluten free are in reality eating a lower gluten diet. This is especially true for those who still eat out. Perhaps this will help:

 

Thank you! Appreciate the information. Yes, all at the same lab, results below:

Test: TTG IgA <=14.9 U/mL

2020- 21.6

2021- 21.9

2023- 15.2 

 

I do go out to eat because I want to enjoy the one life we have! I always do my research about places and tell the server about my restrictions with cross contamination, never eat fried foods, and stick with places I know I feel good but of course it makes sense that there is still a risk no matter what. Cross contamination is probably what it is! I’ll take a re look at my grains in home as well. Thanks! 

 

 

[trents]

Make sure all meds (including over the counter stuff) and supplements are gluten free as well.

[Raquel2021]

Hi there 

I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago. Recently had my antibodies checked and they were 7. Lab range normal under 12. Like other have mentioned cross contamination might be the issue.  I always have a reaction to cross contamination so I know I have eaten something that might have been cross contaminated 

[Scott Adams]

On 7/18/2023 at 10:41 PM, Kklopp said:

Thank you! Appreciate the information. Yes, all at the same lab, results below:

Test: TTG IgA <=14.9 U/mL

2020- 21.6

2021- 21.9

2023- 15.2 

 

I do go out to eat because I want to enjoy the one life we have! I always do my research about places and tell the server about my restrictions with cross contamination, never eat fried foods, and stick with places I know I feel good but of course it makes sense that there is still a risk no matter what. Cross contamination is probably what it is! I’ll take a re look at my grains in home as well. Thanks! 

 

 

I also eat out, but have adopted using AN-PEP enzymes like those in GliadinX (a sponsor here) just in case there may be some gluten contamination. If you eat our regularly, this is the likely cause for your elevated tTg levels.

[Kklopp]

On 7/19/2023 at 9:53 AM, Scott Adams said:

I also eat out, but have adopted using AN-PEP enzymes like those in GliadinX (a sponsor here) just in case there may be some gluten contamination. If you eat our regularly, this is the likely cause for your elevated tTg levels.

Just ordered a bottle & will use when eating out, thank you!