Borderline TTG-A mean negative?

[Jjk1992]

Hi! I recently had a bunch of blood tests done and the only one that was elevated was the TTG-A. My level was 12.6, with negative listed as 0-4 and positive as >15. I asked my doctor about it and she said if I was Celiac my level would have been much higher, and that there wasn’t much research supporting just a gluten sensitivity. 
That being said, I had been suffering from the following symptoms for YEARS: GERD, indigestion, chronic migraines, extreme fatigue and brain fog, joint pain, and bloating. I’d never considered that gluten was the issue, but I decided to try going gluten-free just to see what happened and I could literally cry by how much better I feel. I feel like I’m alive again. 
Going forward, is it possible that I am celiac or should I just assume it’s some kind of gluten sensitivity? Do I even need to push for an official diagnosis or should I just continue a strict gluten-free diet and call it good? 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Jjk1992!

Did your decision to try going gluten free preceded the celiac blood antibody testing or come after it? If before, you probably sabotaged the test results.

Not sure why your doctor would say there isn't much research supporting the condition known as gluten sensitivity. Gluten sensitivity, or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) is a well-established medical phenomenon. It is 10x mor common than celiac disease and shares many of the same symptoms. There currently is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out. Some experts feel NCGS can be a precursor to celiac disease. Just because there is no test for NCGS does not invalidate it as a medical reality. If your doctor is in denial about this I think I would look for a new doc.

As far as the need to push for an official diagnosis it depends on how disciplined you are. Many people psychologically just seem to need an official diagnosis to keep themselves on the gluten-free bandwagon. Otherwise, they tend to slip back into denial. At the end of the day, the antidote for both celiac disease and NCGS is the same: Lifelong abstinence from gluten.

[knitty kitty]

@Jjk1992,

Welcome to the forum!

Having a slightly positive test result warrants more investigation.  

Like @trents said, a slightly positive result can be a reflection of decreased gluten consumption prior to the test.  It's like being told you're a little pregnant.  

Was your Total IgA taken?  If you have low Total IgA, your tTg IgA can be low, too.  

Do you have anemia, Diabetes or Thiamine deficiency?  These can cause low tTg IgA results.

Chronic inflammation as occurs in years of undiagnosed, untreated Celiac Disease can cause low tTg IgA results.  

Subclinical vitamin deficiencies as occurs in undiagnosed, untreated Celiac Disease can result in low tTg IgA antibodies.  

Your symptoms "GERD, indigestion, chronic migraines, extreme fatigue and brain fog, joint pain, and bloating" are symptoms of nutritional deficiencies.  Thiamine Vitamin B1 and B Complex deficiencies can cause Gerd, chronic migraines, extreme fatigue and brain fog, and bloating.  Joint pain can be caused by deficiency in Vitamin D.  These are common deficiencies found in untreated Celiac Disease.  

Have you had a genetic test for Celiac Disease genes?  Since celiac disease is genetic, checking for the presence of celiac disease genes is important.  

Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!

[Scott Adams]

Given your many symptoms which are common among those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it would make sense for you to try a gluten-free diet for 3-4 months to see if it helps.