Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Please Help Me - Interpreting Results.

holdingthestars

Recommended Posts

holdingthestars Newbie
holdingthestars
Posted

Hi everyone,

I've been searching the boards for about the last 1.5 hours and I'm just wondering if someone can tell me what these results mean?

TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGG Your Value - 0.55 Standard Range <0.90- Index

TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGA Your Value - 0.33 Standard Range <0.90- Index

I know this seems to be a dumb question, but does this mean I am testing negative for Celiac? Or are these even the same tests?

I have been diagnosed with IBS and because I've been having horrific stomach pains/fatigue/etc I got a second opinion from a GI doctor. I just did an endoscopy on Tuesday and am waiting biopsy results because he suspected Celiac since I am iron deficient, b-12 deficient, and vitamin d deficient as well as having these other symptoms. But now I'm discouraged because these tests appear to have come back negative :(

I just want the doctors to stop thinking I'm crazy and trying to shove me full of anxiety and depression medication. I wouldn't be anxious and depressed if they'd find out what's wrong with me :(

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mother of Jibril Enthusiast
Mother of Jibril
Posted

Welcome to the group!

Is tissue transglutaminase the only thing you had tested (by blood)? A full celiac panel should also include antigliaden (both IgA and IgG) and endomysial antibodies (EMA). EMA is the most specific for celiac disease, but it's also the most subjective... it's just positive/negative and it's interpreted by a person (who may or may not be inclined to think that celiac disease is "rare"). You should also have your total IgA tested. If you're deficient you could be half-dead and still get "negative" test results.

Hopefully the biopsy will tell you something! Even if everything comes back negative you should give the gluten-free diet a try. It might do a lot of good.

samcarter Contributor
samcarter
Posted

Don't be discouraged. My doctor only did the EMA test, since according to him that was the "most sensitive" for celiac. He told me it was negative. BUT i have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the gluten free diet.

Up to 20% of celiacs can test negative on EMA. Some people test negative because their intestines don't have "serious" damage "yet". Some are gluten-intolerant but non-celiac.

A gluten free diet can help IBS, whether or not you've gotten a diagnosis of celiac disease.

nora-n Rookie
nora-n
Posted

Your tests do have a number (they are not 0), I think that means something.

If you have not eaten enough gluten in the past, then the ttg tests may not be positive enough.

nora

Amyleigh0007 Enthusiast
Amyleigh0007
Posted

I also have (had) IBS. The gluten free diet has helped me tremendously. My bloodtests were also negative but when I went to an allergist for a second opinion she diagnosed me with gluten intolerance. If the biopsy results come back negative try the diet and see how you feel. If you feel better then it might be gluten intolerance (which there is no test for). The treatment is the same whether it's gluten intolerance or Celiac.

Nora_n

Is it possible to be at a 0? I am just curious. I also think that if you have a number, any number besides 0, that you have a problem with gluten. Does anyone else think that way?

leadmeastray88 Contributor
leadmeastray88
Posted
I also think that if you have a number, any number besides 0, that you have a problem with gluten. Does anyone else think that way?

I think that way.

Even tough my tTG was considered to be negative (anything over 4 was positive), I was a 1.

My thinking is that if I didn't react to gluten at all I shouldn't have ANY antibodies at all. To me, this says I have 25% of the antibodies needed before becoming "positive".

...But I'm no expert :)

Amyleigh0007 Enthusiast
Amyleigh0007
Posted
I think that way.

Even tough my tTG was considered to be negative (anything over 4 was positive), I was a 1.

My thinking is that if I didn't react to gluten at all I shouldn't have ANY antibodies at all. To me, this says I have 25% of the antibodies needed before becoming "positive".

...But I'm no expert :)

Great minds think alike! My tTG was 3 with anything over 5 being positive. My primary doctor said my test was negative for Celiac. I went to an allergist and she said I obviously have a problem with gluten and I could give it any name I wanted. The treatment is the same. I don't understand why some doctors don't think a number is positive. It means your body isn't happy about something!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


gfb1 Rookie
gfb1
Posted
Nora_n

Is it possible to be at a 0? I am just curious. I also think that if you have a number, any number besides 0, that you have a problem with gluten. Does anyone else think that way?

allow me to jump in.

on the one hand, we have no way of knowing if there is a biological 'zero'. lots of people have intestinal damage, from either accident, surgery or disease, which might release ttg and cause your body to create antibodies.

on the other, the assay itself may not ever read 'zero' (even in the presence of some amount of ttg-ab's), because this depends on the standard curve of the assay.

nearly all clinical assays are based on a plot of known values of the 'thing being measured' (in this case, antibodies to TTG) and some numerical value corresponding to light intensity read from a machine. the plot is on an x-y axis... meaning there is an equation matching the plots. usually, but not always, this equation is linear, meaning there is a slope and a y-intercept to the line. the line does not always intersect with 'zero', or the x-y coordinate (0,0). meaning that the assay is only valid for a portion of the line.

taken to extremes, and depending on the y-intercept, it is possible to even calculate a negative serum value!!

the trend in clinical labs is to move towards colorimetric assays that can be read by the human eye in 'yes-no' fashion. these are done by using serial dilutions of your blood sample and reacting with reagents in either tubes/plates/blots to see if a color develops (similar to a home pregnancy test). you are then diagnosed by which dilution develops a color. the dilutions are ranked low/normal/high -- and that's your reading (no quantitation). i'm not a big fan of these types of assays...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,901
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.