Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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

Confused about test results


KikiSa
Go to solution Solved by Scott Adams,

Recommended Posts

KikiSa Newbie

Hello,

My child received a ‘weak positive result’ on a routine bloodwork for TTG Iga. The result was measured in U/ml. A repeat test a few months later (while waiting for endoscope) now shows high (but the result is in KIU/L). I’m told the lab ‘just changed the way they report’. I’m wondering if this is an error, or if anyone knows how to convert the units.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



  • Solution
Scott Adams Grand Master

It's understandable to be concerned about the unit change between your child's test results. TTG-IgA can be reported in different units (U/mL or kIU/L), and some labs use a conversion where 1 U/mL equals approximately 1 kIU/L. However, since reference ranges and assay methods vary by lab, it's best to confirm with them directly. Ask the lab or your doctor to clarify whether the new result is truly higher or if it’s just a reporting difference. This will help avoid confusion before the endoscopy. Hope you get clear answers soon! Let us know.

KikiSa Newbie
  On 4/7/2025 at 8:50 PM, Scott Adams said:

It's understandable to be concerned about the unit change between your child's test results. TTG-IgA can be reported in different units (U/mL or kIU/L), and some labs use a conversion where 1 U/mL equals approximately 1 kIU/L. However, since reference ranges and assay methods vary by lab, it's best to confirm with them directly. Ask the lab or your doctor to clarify whether the new result is truly higher or if it’s just a reporting difference. This will help avoid confusion before the endoscopy. Hope you get clear answers soon! Let us know.

Expand Quote  

Thank you very much for your response Scott. Apparently the second TTG Iga test was ten times the normal. I’m just surprised that there can be such a huge difference between the test results. It concerns me also that the lab has just recently changed their reporting. There are not really many/ any symptoms anymore. I was suspicious about celiac several years ago, and had my child tested then (it was negative then), so we never thought further about it as the pediatrician continued to tell us his shorter stature must be genetic even though we are average height parents. Also I did not have as much knowledge at the time. I guess we will know more after the endoscopy. It pains me to think this may have been an issue for years. I worry now if we are getting false negatives for my other children also.

Scott Adams Grand Master

In the Europe the new protocol for making a celiac disease diagnosis in children is if their tTg-IgA (tissue transglutaminase IgA) levels are 10 times or above the positive level for celiac disease.

According to the latest research, if the blood test results are at certain high levels that range between 5-10 times the reference range for a positive celiac disease diagnosis, it may not be necessary to confirm the results using an endoscopy/biopsy:

 

KikiSa Newbie

Yes, I did read about the bloodwork diagnosis option and was given the choice for further bloodwork or proceeding with endoscopy. At this point we would like a definitive answer as it will be a lifelong diagnosis and we realize we would have to go back on gluten if we ever wanted endoscopy in the future. I was reading an article from a GI specialist that was of the same opinion, but yes, difficult decision when it comes to your children.

Scott Adams Grand Master

Honestly, with a 10x or higher level on a TTG-IgA score, there is really no other explanation but celiac disease, at least in my humble opinion.

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
  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to HeloIP's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      EGD with flatten mucosa

    2. - HeloIP posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      EGD with flatten mucosa

    3. - Joel K posted a topic in Meet Up Room
      0

      Caribbean Sailing with Celiac

    4. - Joel K posted a topic in Board/Forum Technical Help
      0

      Forum Rules

    5. - MelissaClinPsyD replied to MelissaClinPsyD's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      Refractory Coeliac Disease research to reduce anxiety


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,489
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Brandye5
    Newest Member
    Brandye5
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @HeloIP! There are some other diseases, some medications (NSAIDs, olmesartan) and even some other food protein intolerances (the dairy protein casein) that can cause flattened villi in the duodenum but the most likely cause is celiac disease. Your GI doc may want to run some blood work to check for antibodies that are specific to celiac disease as a follow-up so, in case he/she does, don't start a gluten-free diet until that blood draw is done.
    • HeloIP
      For years, I’ve had intermittent gut symptoms that included abdominal pain, fatigue, bloating, and gas. I did not have significant diarrhea. A few days ago, I had a EGD that revealed gastritis and mucosal flattening in the duodenum. I’m waiting on the results of the biopsy now. I feel that celiac disease is what has been my problem for years. I’m almost afraid they’ll tell me the test is negative and then I’ll be right back where I started. Any insights on these findings would be helpful. Thank you.
    • Joel K
      Greetings! I would love to get a group going with fellow sailors with celiac disease who would be interested in chartering a sailing yacht down in the Caribbean perhaps a few times a year.  Most likely in the US and/or British Virgin Islands, though other islands may also be considered.  Doesn't have to be the same people and doesn't have to be only experienced sailors.  But everybody would have to be willing to share in the charter, provisioning, and running expenses, in participating in sailing the yacht, and sharing in the work of living on board for a week or two at a time.  This would be a good opportunity to travel safely, foodwise, as all food on board would be provisioned as...
    • Joel K
      Greetings! I'd like to post a request for interest in an event I'd like to set up.  But before I do, I'm wondering what the rules for posting in the forum are.  Is there somewhere on this site where the rules for posting in the forum or in meetup groups are located? Thanks in advance.
    • MelissaClinPsyD
      There is no minimum time since diagnosis of refractory coeliac disease to be eligible for this research. The research is a feasibility study for people with refractory coeliac disease since there is currently no psychologically based intervention tailored for refractory coeliac. The aim of this research is to provide therapeutic support that is not routinely offered at gastroenterology clinics thus encourages people to maintain wellbeing in consideration of having symptoms despite a gluten free diet. Hope you gain further clarity and some relief following your endoscopy!
×
×
  • Create New...