TTG IgA 0.30 U/ml: further tests?

[lookingforanswersone]

Hi, a query about testing.

Background: I have existing diagnosis of pernicious anaemia (b12 deficiency) autoimmune condition. Diagnosed 5 years ago. 

Symptoms for 10 years. Initially got better with b12 shots (for like a month or so) but still kicking around. So query Celiac and other clustered autoimmune conditions to PA.

If celaic it would maybe be more silent as don't get vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss.

Symptoms = chronic fatigue. Muscular&skeletal pain. Hot hands and feet (worse an night), nausea after eating, tiredness after consuming food like bread and pasta. 

Celiac screen came back (private blood test): TTG IgA 0.30 U/ml. 

My main question is, is it worth getting total iga for further testing ? I have been advised that 'low' would only count as 0 U/ml for TTG IgA not .3. 

Oh and did the genetic testing and have the gene thing.

Was also critically low for folate levels in recent tests 

All other tests showed no likelihood of other autoimmune conditions like thyroid (luckily).

Anyhow, any thoughts welcome but be kind, just trying to get well l.

[RMJ]

What is the normal range for your TTG IgA test?  The units are not standardized so they can vary from lab to lab.

The normal range is usually listed as <# (less than a number), so anything less than that number is considered negative.  TTG IgA results should never be presented as 0 U/mL because this type of test has a lower limit of detection - i.e. something might be there but the test can’t see it that low.  I can get more technical if you want🙂.

 

[lookingforanswersone]

Hi, just looked and it doesn't list that. Says : Tissue Transglutaminase (IgA) 

0.30 (results - negative)

U/ml (Units )

Reference range 0.00 - 10.00

[RMJ]

Reference range 0.00 to 10.00 means that within that range is normal, so not celiac.

There are other antibodies that can be present in celiac disease and they don’t all have to be positive to have celiac.  I’m sure someone else will post a link to an article describing them! Plus, if you are IgA deficient the celiac IgA tests won’t be accurate.

[lookingforanswersone]

Thanks everyone. I've decided to do a gluten challenge (4 slices of bread a day for 3 months) and then do a full gluten panel of all the tests that can be done, just to rule it in or out for sure. I think otherwise psychologically it will keep bothering me