Blood Tests And Accuracy Of Iga?

[bizzymomof5]

My almost 11 year old daughter has just been tested for Celiacs. The results came back with the IgA being slightly elevated. Hemoglobin being slightly below normal. However, the other two or three blood tests they use for Celiacs came back within normal range. I can't remember what they are. I think one of them was a IgG. Could she still have Celiacs?

Her symptoms are: Diarrhea 5 to 7 times per day with an occasional firm stool, although very tiny amount, followed by her next bowel movement being very loose or watery.

She gets canker sores periodically, unexplained fevers up to 3 times per month, she does not have the muscle strength or stamina of our other children. She complains A LOT of tummy upset, has very foul smelling gas although she is not always gassy. She will often fall asleep in the middle of the day if she is able to lay down for a bit. She complains of being tired and often will ask to ride in the grocery cart because her legs are tired. She is almost 11 and she has only gained 2 pounds in 2 years and only gained about 1 1/2 inches in height. The doctor that we saw was concerned about the lack of weight gain more so than the height and so tested her for Celiacs. However, because of the test results he decided to refer her to a gastro doctor.

We have not been to see the gastro doctor yet. I would like to go with as much info as possible.

Has anyone had experience with 3 of the 4 tests being normal and then the IgA being slightly elevated and still having Celiacs?

Her blood iron also slightly below normal.

Thanks!

bizzymomof5

[ShayFL]

What do you mean by IgA elevated. They should have tested for total IgA and also the IgA mediated anitbody to gliadin. Which one are you referring to? You really should request a copy of the lab results. It is your legal right.

She certainly has the symptoms. If they do an endoscopy and it comes back neg. they may say "no celiac", but the proof is ALWAYS in the diet and it is ALWAYS worth a try.

[bizzymomof5]

Thank you for your reply. I will see if my husband can pick up a copy tomorrow on his lunch break.

I'm seriously thinking about implementing the diet but hesitate to do so without a confirmed diagnosis as I know it will be a huge lifestyle change. I just don't want to do it if it isn't necessary, know what I mean? I also wouldn't start it until after the gastro doctor appt. If he doesn't find anything or give us any answers then I will start the diet as she has been this way for some time and something needs to change for her sake.

Thanks again.

Hopefully, I will be able to post more info about her blood results.

bizzymomof5

What do you mean by IgA elevated. They should have tested for total IgA and also the IgA mediated anitbody to gliadin. Which one are you referring to? You really should request a copy of the lab results. It is your legal right.

She certainly has the symptoms. If they do an endoscopy and it comes back neg. they may say "no celiac", but the proof is ALWAYS in the diet and it is ALWAYS worth a try.

[bizzymomof5]

My husband just picked up my daughters lab results from the doctor. They were not real confident in interpreting the results. They have referred us to a pediatric doctor now, instead of a gastro, with the results. That appt. is next week. However, in looking at her results it says that the range for IGA is 53-204 mg/dL. Her results are Flagged as "high" with the number being 253. Is this the total IgA?

There are a few other numbers. The list looks like this:

AB Gliadin IGG - range is: 0.0-10.0 U/ml Hers is: 1.0 (normal)

AB Gliadin IGA - range is: 0.0-10.0 U/ml Hers is: 1.0 (normal)

t-TG IGA - range is 0-3 U/ml Hers is: <4 (does this mean she scored less than 4?) It shows she is normal.

Negative 0 - 3

Weak Positive 4 -10

Positive >10

t-TG - range is 0-5 U/ml Hers is: <6 Again, it says she is normal.

Negative 0 - 5

Weak Positive 6 - 9

Positive >9

Endomysial IGA says she is Negative or normal. Under Range it just says Negative.

Then the final item on the list says:

IGA range is 53-204 mg/dL Hers is: 253 mg/dL and they have her in the "high" column instead of the "normal" column on this one.

Is this final number the "Total" IGA?

Also her Hemoglobin is slightly low.

Does anyone know what this means? Our doctor didn't which is why he is referring us to a pediatric doctor to read the results. That's not until next week though.

Thank you,

bizzymomof5

What do you mean by IgA elevated. They should have tested for total IgA and also the IgA mediated anitbody to gliadin. Which one are you referring to? You really should request a copy of the lab results. It is your legal right.

She certainly has the symptoms. If they do an endoscopy and it comes back neg. they may say "no celiac", but the proof is ALWAYS in the diet and it is ALWAYS worth a try.

[psawyer]

IGA range is 53-204 mg/dL Hers is: 253 mg/dL and they have her in the "high" column instead of the "normal" column on this one.

Is this final number the "Total" IGA?

Yes, this is the total IGA. It is needed to confirm the accuracy of the other tests, which measure specific antibody levels. The total IGA is to confirm that your immune system is producing antibodies in general at normal levels. If this test is low, then the other tests are all inconclusive. The fact that this test is slightly high does not indicate celiac disease, but it does confirm that your immune system is producing antibodies at a slightly elevated level, and therefore the other tests would show valid results.

In summary, if your total IGA was low, then it could mean that your negative results on the other antibody tests show a systemic immune deficiency and are not meaningful in terms of any specific antibody level.