Pathology results - coeliac positive?

[Tazzy11]

Hi All!

I recieved some coeliac serology test results but I am yet to see my g.p can anyone please confirm what these numbers mean??

Tissue transglutaminase IgA - 3 units (<20)

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide IgG - 26H units (<20)

 

My IgG is high, does this mean it is positive? 

 

[Scott Adams]

This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.

   Per this article:

Quote

The sensitivity of the DGP-IgG test is reported to range from 75% to 85%, which means it can correctly identify individuals with the condition in about 75% to 85% of cases. The specificity of the DGP-IgG test is reported to range from 75% to 95%, which means it can correctly identify individuals without the condition in about 75% to 95% of cases. Overall, the DGP tests, including DGP-IgA and DGP-IgG, exhibit a sensitivity of approximately 85-95% and a specificity of about 95-98%.

They will likely schedule an endoscopy to see if you have celiac disease, and for this they would want you to continue eating gluten daily until that test is completed.

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Tazzy11!

Yes, your DGP-IGG test is positive. It means you could have celiac disease. But there are other possible causes for an elevated DGP-IGG count. I note that your TTG-IGA was not positive. The TTG-IGA is considered the chief celiac antibody test and a bit more reliable than the DGP-IGG.

But let me ask you an important question. Prior to the blood draw, had you already begun to limit your intake of gluten?

Also, were these the only two tests ordered to check for celiac disease? A physician should always order what we call the "total IGA" test (it goes by other names as well) to check for IGA deficiency. If you are IGA deficient, the scores for individual IGA celiac antibody tests, such as the TTG-IGA will be falsely low.

By the way you spelled "coeliac" I judge you must be in the UK.

There are several other antibody tests that can ordered when checking for celiac disease in order to get a more complete picture. Here is an article outlining the various tests:

 

[Tazzy11]

Thanks so much for replying! 

No I haven't been limiting gluten prior to this test, I didn't know the Dr even tested for it until I got my results. These were the only celiac related pathology that was tested for. I am seeing my Dr on Monday so hopefully she can shed some more light!

[trents]

I would suggest you ask your doctor to order a "total IGA" test to check for IGA deficiency.

Edited January 31, 2025 by trents