Iga Serum Levels Question

[3groovygirls]

Hi all! I have a quick question. My test results were of 3 things, the first 2, I forget what it was, I passed those, the numbers had to be say <3 or whatever, but I had a question about the IGA Serum values.

My value was 84 and it said passing was 81-300something.

My daughter has Celiac with the DQ2 gene. Do you think this means I am home free and DO NOT have Celiac or do you think that b/c I eat mostly gluten free (not totally) my number was passing but barely?

I'd say I eat 75-80% gluten-free. I eat what she eats naturally, but if we eat out I don't sweat the ingredients I have a sandwich here or there. I'm definetly NOT 100% gluten-free....so would eating 75% gluten-free effect my score?

I guess what I'm wondering is can I rest assured I don't have Celiac at the moment with a score of 84, or is that so borderline you'd check again?

[3groovygirls]

To be more spefic:

IGA Serum 84 81-469 mg/dL is normal

Gliadin AB (IGA)<3 normal <11

TTA IGA <3 normal <5

Those are my numbers.

[lizard00]

IGA Serum 84 81-469 mg/dL is normal

While you are in range for your total IgA serum, it is on the very low end of normal. So, theoretically, this could affect the outcome of the IgA based tests, that and the fact that you are pretty gluten light. Have you ever tried a 100% gluten-free trial and challenge to see if you react to gluten? That would be a pretty definite way to give you an answer. You could also request to have the IgG version of the celiac panel done, which is a good diagnostic tool for those with low IgA.

[3groovygirls]

this could affect the outcome of the IgA based tests

How does the low serum affect the outcome of the IgA based tests? Sorry, I am so clueless!!

Here's the thing, I DO react to gluten now. I NEVER did before I started eating gluten-free for my daughter. Now my system cannot tolerate gluten heavy things - like beer. Oh geez, that kills me! Or regular pasta, sits in my stomach for days now I swear and/or I'll get the runs. Not for days on end like my daughter, just instead, um, sorry for TMI!

So yes, I do find gluten bothers me now. Would it bother anyone if they went mostly gluten-free and then went back to it or only gluten sensitive individuals?

THanks so much, I really don't understand the results. My daughter was SO clear cut that there was no question whatsover so we never had any interpretation issues. I also thought wow, I passed but wow, that is a really low number! What would happen if I WAS eating all gluten instead of mostly gluten-free?

[3groovygirls]

Ok, so I googled it to try and understand. From what I read if your IgA SERUM levels are low, this can INACCURATELY make you pass your other levels. Is that what you were saying?

So if my number was 84 eating 80% gluten-free, can I assume it would be lower if I was eating more gluten? I KNOW I don't eat the equivalent of 4 pieces of bread a day! Many days I eat no gluten at all. Some days, maybe once a week I eat that much, but most days not even close.

[lizard00]

Ok, so I googled it to try and understand. From what I read if your IgA SERUM levels are low, this can INACCURATELY make you pass your other levels. Is that what you were saying?

So if my number was 84 eating 80% gluten-free, can I assume it would be lower if I was eating more gluten? I KNOW I don't eat the equivalent of 4 pieces of bread a day! Many days I eat no gluten at all. Some days, maybe once a week I eat that much, but most days not even close.

Yes, you have it correct. If your total IgA serum is low, then because the celiac panel is IgA based, the results are going to be incorrect. With yours being so borderline, it's hard to say for sure that is what happened, but there's a fairly good chance. So, if you want to be retested, then ask your doc to run the IgG versions. They exist, but are not routine for most docs. in fact, my son's ped had to go get the book of blood tests because he didn't think I was right when I requested those also be done w/ his panel.

I don't think that the amount of gluten you eat would affect your total IgA. IgA is a part of your immune system and is involved in other immune functions. I think you either make it or you don't.