Stunned! Not Sure Why, Though!

[wonkabar]

At my request, my OB sent me for a Celiac "Super Panel" last week and the Iga (Immunoglobin A) came back elevated. The normal range was 70 - 400 and my level was 420. All of Zachary's labs came back negative however he did test positive for one main-Celiac and one non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Gene. He's also had a tremendous dietary response to the gluten-free diet. Hence the reason my husband and I were starting to have bloodwork done. (I was first!!) I'm not real clear on what all of the labs mean b/c his levels were all on the lower end of average so they did not present an "issue" for the doctor. Does one elevated level such as the IgA make Celiac Diseae??

I'm truly not sure why I'm stunned about this...Zachary had to get this gene from one of us! Soooooooo, what's the deal? (I think I can pretty much answer my own question.) Help!!!!

[CarlaB]

Did he do all the tests for the celiac panel, or just the one?

It looks like you have a gluten problem to me ... I'm sure those who understand conventional testing better than I do will chime in soon. I bet you'll feel better on the diet and will see that you had symptoms you never knew you had.

[Ursa Major]

It's hard when you didn't suspect it. But I agree with Carla, you will likely feel much better without gluten.

[wonkabar]

No, the IgA wasn't the only lab...it was a Celiac "Super Panel". I'm picking up the lab results tomorrow.

For those of you who are knowlegable of the different labs and their meanings/indications what does an elevated IgA alone mean? Thanks!

Fortunately, the only glutenie stuff in the house is for my husband and I...it's not a lot of stuff! I do know the gluten-free diet do's and don'ts b/c we have Zachary on a strict gluten-free diet. My 20 month old is essentially on a gluten-free diet as well b/c it's just easier that way. The only way she has gluten is if we slip her a bit of bread from our plate. All that being said, I still was suprised to have an elevated IgA level even though I know Zachary had to get the Celiac gene from one of us. I know that probably sounds silly!

If it is in fact Celiac Disease it would certainly answer some questions...difficult pregnancies, an "odd" miscarriage (originally thought to be a Molar Pregnancy), pre-term labor and preemies (son and daughter), anxiety disorder, weight and lots of gas.

[chrissy]

the IgA for what came back elevated?

[CarlaB]

If it was the IgA for gluten, it means you are having an immune reaction to the gluten. The other numbers even tell more, so post them when you get them. ttg refers to an autoimmune response.

[wonkabar]

the IgA for what came back elevated?

I believe it was for the Anti-Endomysial Antibodies. I know there were other labs included in the panel, but I don't have the paperwork yet; I'll be picking it up tomorow.

[nikki-uk]

I believe it was for the Anti-Endomysial Antibodies. I know there were other labs included in the panel, but I don't have the paperwork yet; I'll be picking it up tomorow.

As I understand it the EMA test (Anti-Endomysium) only has positive or negative.It has very few 'false positives' too.

The other most sensitive test is the tTg (Anti-tissue trans glutiminase)

You will score a number for this (usually anything less than 10 is a negative depending on labs and individual reference ranges)This test can have a small percent of 'false positives' but is a more specific test for celiac disease.

Hopefully you can post your results tomorrow-but it does sound as if you may have celiac disease.

[mike2184]

I also had elevated Immunoglobulin A on my celiac panel. My GI told me that this has nothing to do with a gluten problem or celiac disease. A low Immunglobulin A can cause the other test results for the antibodies to be skewed. So, if you have low Immunoglobulin A and a negative result for the antibodies - you could still have celiac.

He told me that high Immunoglobulin A just means in most cases that your immune system is working properly. Some people have a naturally high Immunoglobulin A, or your body may have been fighting off an infection.

Again, this is from my GI. My Immunoglobulin A was high and my results of my celiac panel were negative.

[wonkabar]

I also had elevated Immunoglobulin A on my celiac panel. My GI told me that this has nothing to do with a gluten problem or celiac disease. A low Immunglobulin A can cause the other test results for the antibodies to be skewed. So, if you have low Immunoglobulin A and a negative result for the antibodies - you could still have celiac.

He told me that high Immunoglobulin A just means in most cases that your immune system is working properly. Some people have a naturally high Immunoglobulin A, or your body may have been fighting off an infection.

Again, this is from my GI. My Immunoglobulin A was high and my results of my celiac panel were negative.

Thanks for the insight!! Then why in the world would they include it if it doesn't necessarily mean anything?

[mike2184]

I think because if it is low then your results could be skewed.

[chrissy]

if you are IgA deficient then the normal tests are worthless and specialized testing has to be done. (one of my kids is IgA deficient). to know if you are getting accurate results, a total IgA serum needs to be run besides the antibody tests. it sounds like this was done by your doctor, that is why it was included in the report.

[wonkabar]

Then do these results as they are mean anything?? I'm certainly not looking for a Dx, but I feel I'd be remiss if I didn't address these results with a GI. I want to do whatever it is I need to, but at the same time I don't want to be on a wild goose chase!

Isn't the Immunogloblin A # on my labs the total IgA serum? What kind of info would a Total IgA Serum provide? I posted my results under another post....Immunogloblin A/What is this??

[wonkabar]

I believe it was for the Anti-Endomysial Antibodies. I know there were other labs included in the panel, but I don't have the paperwork yet; I'll be picking it up tomorow.

Sorry for any confusion...this is what the nurse initally told me or at least that's how I understood it. The first conversation with the nurse was kind of the blind leading the blind. Thanks for your help!