Iga Anti-ttg Results (negative?)

[kevnlis]

I have done a fair bit of reading on this but am still unsure as to the exact results of the blood test I was given.

First off I will mention that I had been on my gluten-free diet for 17 days before the blood was drawn and the diet was an elimination diet which included eliminating sources of negligable levels of gluten as well (my intake of gluten was absolute zero).

My blood test came back negative, this is what the test says:

Specimen Type: SERUM

IgA anti-tTG: 2 (<4)

Can anyone explain to me what this means? My doctor had no clue! I do not think he had ever heard of coeliac and only ordered the blood test at my request.

Is it possible I am a coeliac?

I do feel much better after only 20 days on the gluten-free diet. My eczema is nearly gone and I actually have energy for the first time in as long as I can remember!

Should I continue the gluten free diet? It is a very expensive thing to do and I would rather not if I do not have to.

Perhaps I could reintroduce measured levels of gluten and see if I have an adverse reaction?

Any help/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[nora-n]

I had that test too and it was negative too.

It is the anti-tissue gransglutaminase andtibody test done by IgA. There is also a IgG version of it. Usually total IgA is measured at hte same time just to check if you have something called selectove IgA deficiency, in which case they run the IgG version of the test.

Now, in this country and at this lab they only do this test, like you and I had (plus the total IgA)

If you read around here, lots have had severl tests, like EMA and the antigliadin IgA and IgG test.

Antireticulin is sometimes reported too.

Now this may be better, because some only test positive to only one of them (even though they do not have this IgA dificiency either)

I had been very gluten light, even gluten-free for half a year before the tes with just a few slipups, and thought that the tests owould be valid because the times I had gluten would keep the antibodies high. Now the tests are calibrated to only show positive with severe villi damage, and a cake for christmas and one at thanksgiving is not enough gluten to show positive on tests like this.

One need at least 0,3 g per kg a day gluten.

And, some have negative tests and total villi atrophy.

nora

[kevnlis]

Which tests should I be asking him to do? SHould I eat gluten for a month or so before I ask him to do any further testing?

Thanks