High Iga Test, Celiac?

[Megan6516]

My 3 year old son was sent for labs to test for Celiac disease. They ran 3 different test on him, 2 of which had to be sent out so I still do not have the results of those, but his Iga test results came in today and the nurse didn't give me the specific number but she did say that it was high. I asked her what that meant and she said that a high level was a good thing. From everything that I have read a high Iga level means that there is a gluten intolerance. Now I'm confused and I'm starting to believe that the nurse was just mistaken that a high level is a good thing. Anyone else know anything about Iga test?

[happygirl]

It depends on the test - if its the total IgA, you want it to be normal so that you aren't IgA deficient. IgA deficiency and makes the other tests unreliable. My guess is that she was probably referring to the total IgA if she said it was "good."

The other IgA based tests are AGA IgA, EMA IgA, and tTG IgA.

[sandejosgirl]

I think it's a good idea to go in and get a copy of everything. When my mom was diagn. with colon cancer last year they told my dad to do a folder and my sibs & I helped my dad org. copies of reports, labs and acticles he had read & printed from the internet or library. I have started doing this for my kiddos & it's really helpful for me! and because we now need to go to a specialist.

I think personally having the numbers is helpful cause we have been told the results for a test are neg. but when I got the actual sheet that is NOT what the numbers say. This happens when a lab does the test right but the numbers needed (reference values) are not what a celiac's specialist lab would say is need.

Ex. My oldest daughter's results were from Prometheus Lab in CA (a great lab).

Anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA Elisa Reference value <4.0 u/ml is positive.

My youngest daughter's results were from OML in Eugene, OR (not so great).

Anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA Elisa Reference value <30.0 u/ml is positive.

My youngest daughter's lab's interpreted her results as Neg when in fact according to one of the best labs for celiacs in the country she has one of the indicators.

Having these numbers ourself and being informed has really helped us get the answers and care that we need in order to attempt too feel better.

Good luck!