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Confused with test results

Captain173
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Captain173 Rookie
Captain173
Posted

I had celiac panel done back in October, only ttg iga came back high  (22 with positive being over 3). Endoscopy done in January, it was  negative.

Genetic test done after endoscopy, negative for both hla dq2 & dq8. Did show positive for dqa1*05. 

Scheduled to meet with an allergist next week.

Not scheduled to meet with GI specialist till after allergist.

Confused if I have celiac or what caused high the antibodies originally if I do not.

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Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Based on your results, it seems unlikely that you have celiac disease. A negative endoscopy and the absence of HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genes (the primary genetic markers for celiac) strongly suggest you do not have the condition. However, the elevated TTG-IgA (22) could indicate a temporary immune response or another issue, such as a different autoimmune disorder, intestinal infection, or even a lab anomaly. The presence of DQA1*05 alone is not diagnostic for celiac. Meeting with an allergist and GI specialist is a good next step to explore other potential causes for the high antibodies, such as non-celiac gluten sensitivity or other immune-related conditions. Keep a detailed food and symptom diary to help guide further testing and discussions with your doctors.

Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.

Captain173 Rookie
Captain173
Posted
  • Author

I received my ANA test results - negative. 

I'm thinking it was infection, was put on antibiotics for suspected sibo at the time blood test was taken. Significant improvements from taking them even while eating gluten.

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

It's possible, as there are other things that may cause elevated tTg-IgA levels, but in general a reaction to gluten is the culprit:

   Also, approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.

 

 

Captain173 Rookie
Captain173
Posted
  • Author

Do you have any links that show studies where NCGS and/or infections have caused high Ttg iga levels. 

I've yet to see anything that truly supports this. Everything I've read says the high levels are celiac specific.

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Elevated tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) levels are highly specific for celiac disease, and they are a key biomarker used in its diagnosis. However, there are some rare instances where elevated tTG-IgA levels have been reported in conditions other than celiac disease. While these cases are not common, they have been documented in the literature. Below are some examples and references to studies or reviews that discuss these scenarios:

 1. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
   - NCGS typically does not cause elevated tTG-IgA levels, as it is not an autoimmune condition. However, some individuals with NCGS may have mild elevations in tTG-IgA due to intestinal inflammation or other factors, though this is not well-documented in large studies.
   - Reference: Catassi, C., et al. (2013). *Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: The New Frontier of Gluten-Related Disorders*. Nutrients, 5(10), 3839–3853. [DOI:10.3390/nu5103839](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5103839)

 2. Autoimmune Diseases
   - Elevated tTG-IgA levels have been reported in other autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune hepatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is thought to be due to cross-reactivity or polyautoimmunity.
   - Reference: Sblattero, D., et al. (2000). *The Role of Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase in the Diagnosis and Management of Celiac Disease*. Autoimmunity Reviews, 1(3), 129–135. [DOI:10.1016/S1568-9972(01)00022-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/S1568-9972(01)00022-3)

 3. Chronic Liver Disease
   - Conditions like chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis can sometimes lead to elevated tTG-IgA levels, possibly due to increased intestinal permeability or immune dysregulation.
   - Reference: Vecchi, M., et al. (2003). *High Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: A Role for Gluten-Free Diet?* Gastroenterology, 125(5), 1522–1523. [DOI:10.1016/j.gastro.2003.08.031](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gastro.2003.08.031)

 4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
   - Some patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may have elevated tTG-IgA levels due to intestinal inflammation and damage, though this is not common.
   - Reference: Walker-Smith, J. A., et al. (1990). *Celiac Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease*. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 10(3), 389–391. [DOI:10.1097/00005176-199004000-00020](https://doi.org/10.1097/00005176-199004000-00020)

 5. Infections and Parasites
   - While infections (e.g., giardiasis) are more commonly associated with false-positive tTG-IgA results, chronic infections or parasitic infestations can sometimes lead to elevated levels due to mucosal damage.
   - Reference: Rostami, K., et al. (1999). *The Role of Infections in Celiac Disease*. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 11(11), 1255–1258. [DOI:10.1097/00042737-199911000-00010](https://doi.org/10.1097/00042737-199911000-00010)

 6. Cardiac Conditions
   - Rarely, heart failure or severe cardiovascular disease has been associated with elevated tTG-IgA levels, possibly due to gut ischemia and increased intestinal permeability.
   - Reference: Ludvigsson, J. F., et al. (2007). *Celiac Disease and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study*. American Heart Journal, 153(6), 972–976. [DOI:10.1016/j.ahj.2007.03.019](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2007.03.019)

 Key Points:
- Elevated tTG-IgA levels are highly specific for celiac disease, and in most cases, a positive result strongly suggests celiac disease.
- Other conditions causing elevated tTG-IgA are rare and often accompanied by additional clinical findings.
- If celiac disease is suspected, further testing (e.g., endoscopy with biopsy) is typically required for confirmation.

If you’re looking for more specific studies, I recommend searching PubMed or other medical databases using terms like "elevated tTG-IgA non-celiac" or "tTG-IgA in non-celiac conditions." Let me know if you’d like help with that!

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