Help With Labs

[laluka]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with celiac 6 mos ago through biopsy. I had no intestinal symptoms whatsoever, but had iron-deficiency anemia and had lost some weight. So, I have no idea from how I feel if I am eating any gluten. I am endeavoring to eat none, reading labels, preparing food from scratch, checking medicines, trying to avoid cross-contamination in the home. My GI doesn't want to see me again. So I asked my regular doctor to run follow-up labs to make sure that I'm avoiding all gluten. I didn't know what tests to ask for and she didn't run the tTG, which maybe is necessary (?). However, I'm wondering if the fact that my numbers on these other two tests are not zero means that I am still getting some gluten. Here are the results - Under 11 was considered normal for both:

Antigliadin IGA - 7 (previously 81)

Antigliadin IGG - 3 (previously 12)

I don't know what the difference between those two tests are and I can see that my first number is much lower. Also, my iron is better. Clearly I have improved, but my son also has celiac disease and I want to be an sure as I can that we aren't getting any hidden gluten. He will go in for his follow-up labwork in the middle of October. I would like to try to determine if we are getting any gluten as soon as possible though. Any insights on these labs would be appreciated (including whether it makes sense to go back and ask for the ttg test - I'd rather not (all things being equal) because I think I am irritating them in that office, however, if that is the only way to know, I will certainly do it).

Thank you.

Laura

[par18]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with celiac 6 mos ago through biopsy. I had no intestinal symptoms whatsoever, but had iron-deficiency anemia and had lost some weight. So, I have no idea from how I feel if I am eating any gluten. I am endeavoring to eat none, reading labels, preparing food from scratch, checking medicines, trying to avoid cross-contamination in the home. My GI doesn't want to see me again. So I asked my regular doctor to run follow-up labs to make sure that I'm avoiding all gluten. I didn't know what tests to ask for and she didn't run the tTG, which maybe is necessary (?). However, I'm wondering if the fact that my numbers on these other two tests are not zero means that I am still getting some gluten. Here are the results - Under 11 was considered normal for both:

Antigliadin IGA - 7 (previously 81)

Antigliadin IGG - 3 (previously 12)

I don't know what the difference between those two tests are and I can see that my first number is much lower. Also, my iron is better. Clearly I have improved, but my son also has celiac disease and I want to be an sure as I can that we aren't getting any hidden gluten. He will go in for his follow-up labwork in the middle of October. I would like to try to determine if we are getting any gluten as soon as possible though. Any insights on these labs would be appreciated (including whether it makes sense to go back and ask for the ttg test - I'd rather not (all things being equal) because I think I am irritating them in that office, however, if that is the only way to know, I will certainly do it).

Thank you.

Laura

Laura,

I had tests run after a year on the diet. My levels were all in the normal range and this range varied with each test. (0-3, 0-4, 0-9, 0-5) My value in each test was the same number. It was a "1". I did not worry about the fact it was not a "0" because it was normal and I feel fine. I think the reason for a retest every now and then is to see how the results compare. I would think as long as they remain in the normal range and your anemia tests are ok this should be fine. I think each lab that does these tests may be a little different in their posting of results. If I could I think I would try to make sure the same lab does the tests at least for a while in the beginning.

Tom

[LKelly8]

However, I'm wondering if the fact that my numbers on these other two tests are not zero means that I am still getting some gluten. Here are the results - Under 11 was considered normal for both:

Antigliadin IGA - 7 (previously 81)

Antigliadin IGG - 3 (previously 12)

Thank you.

Laura

Your tests were normal. Zero does not mean zero gluten. TTG is more specific for celiac but considering the major improvements in your IGA and IGG, I wouldn't think further testing is nessesary. I'd wait till the next bloodwork to get the TTG/IGA/IGG.