Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Can someone explain to me this screening test for celiac disease.

PhilHandy
 Share

Recommended Posts

PhilHandy Newbie
PhilHandy
Posted

Tissue transglutaminase Antibody IGA (U/ml)

Celiac disease screening test

Test result: <^0.5 

Range: <12.0

Can someone explain to me what this screening test is supposed to mean?

Thanks in advance! ❤️

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


trents Grand Master
trents
Posted
(edited)

Welcome to the forum community, @PhilHandy!

The Tissue transglutaminase Antibody IGA or, tTG-IGA for short, is the most common celiac blood antibody test ordered by physicians when checking for celiac disease. It combines good specificity with good sensitivity and is relatively inexpensive to run. However, it can produce false negatives in the case of those who have IGA deficiency or who have begun cutting back on gluten prior to the test blood draw.

Having said that, just taking your test result at face value, it does not indicate that you have celiac disease. Anything less than 12 U/ml is considered within normal range and your score is less than 0.5 U/ml. What is unfortunate is that your physician did not order a "total IGA" test to check for IGA deficiency. If IGA deficient, there are other blood antibody tests that can be ordered that would be more appropriate.

What are your symptoms? Why were you being evaluated for celiac disease? There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease but for which there is not test and it is 10x more common.

Edited by trents
PhilHandy Newbie
PhilHandy
Posted
  • Author

Hey trents, thank you explaining the results and I will follow up with my physician about the total IGA test. 

Symptoms so far: 

- Fatigue -Bloating and gas - Gluten intolerant - Diarrhea (getting better since I've been taking probiotics) - Lactose intolerant - Chest pains (tighness on the left side of my chest that comes and goes, not sure if it's heart related 😞) - Light-headedness (every now and then.)

 

 

PhilHandy Newbie
PhilHandy
Posted
  • Author

It could simply be gluten intolerance instead of celiac disease. Not sure. I was recently diagnosed with vitiligo (low red blood cells). I know celiac disease may damage part of the small intestine which in result reduce nutrient absorption. 

Not sure if one has to do with the other (Vitiligo and celiac disease). It could also be mild anemia. Will have to get checked out to see if I'm anemic. It's a possibility.

trents Grand Master
trents
Posted
(edited)

Although the terminology is still applied inconsistently, my perception is that there has been an evolution toward using "gluten intolerance" with reference to celiac disease and "gluten sensitivity" with reference to NCGS.

Isn't vitiligo loss of pigmentation in the skin? Did you mean to connect that with a red blood cell deficiency? There can be an association between vitiligo and celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders as well. But anemia is also a common symptom of celiac disease.

Edited by trents
knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted

@PhilHandy,

Vitiligo has a connection with Celiac Disease.

 

Vitiligo and Autoantibodies of Celiac Disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604853/

 

Anemia can affect not only red blood cell production, but also antibody production, resulting in false negatives.  The DGP IgG test should also be run, in addition to the total IgA test.  A genetic test for Celiac genes is helpful in diagnosing seronegative Celiacs.

Consuming sufficient gluten prior to blood tests for Celiac antibodies is important.  If you're not eating sufficient gluten prior to testing, the antibody production may not be high enough to measure in blood tests.  

 

Keep us posted on your progress!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,557
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Ortega
    Newest Member
    Ortega
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      gluten-free Oatmeal

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this category, and eliminating them is the best way to figure this out. Some people substitute gluten-free quinoa flakes for oats if they want a hot cereal substitute. If you are interested in summaries of scientific publications on the topic of oats and celiac disease, we have an entire category dedicated to it which is here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/oats-and-celiac-disease-are-they-gluten-free/   
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Well said, @Mari!
    • knitty kitty
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hi, @Ginger38, I've had shingles in the past.  I understand how miserable you're feeling.   Not only do i have the chickenpox virus lurking about, I also have the cold sore virus that occasionally flares with a huge cold sore on my lip when stressed or exposed to gluten.  The virus lives dormant in the nerves on the left side of my face.  It causes Bell's Palsy (resulting in drooling).  The cold sore virus is also in my eye.  My eye swells up and my vision is diminished permanently whenever I have a flare, so it's of the utmost importance to keep flares away and treat them immediately if they do happen so I don't lose any more vision.   I take the amino acid supplement L-Lysine.  Lysine messes with the replication of viruses, which helps the body fight them off.   I haven't had an outbreak for several years until this year when exceptionally stressed and contaminated, it flared up again. Lysine has been shown to be beneficial in suppression of viruses like the cold sore virus (a herpetic virus), the chickenpox virus (also a herpetic virus), as well as the HIV virus, and even the Covid virus.   I also take additional Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) because Thiamine has antiviral properties as well.   For pain, a combination of Thiamine (like TTFD or Benfotiamine or Thiamine Hydrochloride), with B12 Cobalamine, and Pyridoxine B6 have been shown to have analgesic properties which relieve pain and neuropathy.    The combination of Thiamine B1, Pyridoxine B6 and Cobalamine B12 really does work to relieve pain.  I take it for back pain from crushed vertebrae in my back.  This combination also works on other pain and neuropathy.   I usually buy a supplement that combines all three and also Riboflavin B2 called EXPLUS online.  However, it's made in Japan and the price with the tariffs added makes it really expensive now.  But the combination of Thiamine B1, Pyridoxine B6 and B12 Cobalamine (and Riboflavin B2) still work even if taken separately.   I can't take Tylenol or ibuprofen because of stomach upsets.  But I can take the vitamin combination without side effects.  However, you can take the three vitamins at the same time as other pain relievers for added benefit.  The vitamins help other pain relievers work better. I hope you will try it.  Hopeful you'll feel better quickly. Interesting Reading: Thiamine, cobalamin, locally injected alone or combination for herpetic itching: a single-center randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23887347/ Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/ Analgesic and analgesia-potentiating action of B vitamins https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12799982/ A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10301284/
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      I think, after reading this, that you areso traumatized by not being able yo understand what your medical advisors have been  what medical conditions are that you would like to find a group of people who also feel traumatized who would agree with you and also support you. You are on a crusade much as the way the US Cabinet  official, the Health Director of our nation is in trying to change what he considers outdated and incorrect health advisories. He does not have the education, background or experience to be in the position he occupies and is not making beneficial decisions. That man suffered a terrible trauma early in his life when his father was assonated. We see now how he developed and worked himself into a powerful position.  Unless you are willing to take some advice or  are willing to use a few of the known methods of starting on a path to better health then not many of us on this Celiac Forum will be able to join you in a continuing series of complaints about medical advisors.    I am almost 90 years old. I am strictly gluten free. I use 2 herbs to help me stay as clear minded as possible. You are not wrong in complaining about medical practitioners. You might be more effective with a clearer mind, less anger and a more comfortable life if you would just try some of the suggestions offered by our fellow celiac volunteers.  
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac? Your not eating gluten so its something else.Medical caused me depression. I thought I was safe with my former pcp for 25 years considering i thought everything I went through and going through will be available when I get fired again for health. Health not write-ups my health always come back when you're better.Im not and being tossed away at no fault to my own other than shitty genes.I was denied disability because person said he didn't know how to classify me! I said Im celiac, i have ibs, hernia, sciatica, high blood pressure, in constant pain have skin and eye issues and menopause intensified everything. With that my celiac nightmare began to reprove my disregarded disease to a bunch of clowns who think they are my careteam when they said I didn't have...I feel Im still breathing so I can fight this so no body else has to deal with this nightmare. Starting over with " new care team" and waisting more time on why I think I am when diagnosed in 1994 before food eliminated from my diet. P.s everything i went through I did write to medical board, so pretty sure I will continue to have a hard time.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.