Iga Levels.. What?

[alap]

My 19 month old son has been consistently sick since birth. His pediatrician continually dismissed my concerns and sent me on my way. I started to research myself and came across Celiac. He has very watery diarrhea A LOT, is diagnosed as Lactose Intolerant, has sandy stools, says "Ouch" and points to his stomach, has the worst smelling gas, and was treated for MRSA at 8 months old even though his cultures came back negative for MRSA (I now think it is DH). After I brought up the possibility of Celiac the Dr. informed me kids under 14 don't have Celiac. After I showed her the research I had found she admitted she knows nothing about the disease and their practice has never diagnosed a child with Celiac.

I demanded my the pediatrician run blood work. We got some of the results back today, I was told he is "slightly anemic". His IgA level is 84. What does that mean? There are no normal ranges listed on the paper they sent me and his appt with the GI at Boston Children's isn't until the 30th, and that seems SOO far away. Any help?

[OBXMom]

Why don't you call your doctor's office and say you won't be able to sleep until you find out what the range is? I don't have any confidence that they would know, since your doctor was so misinformed about celiac, but I bet they'd find out and tell you. In a quick search on this site I found your son's number would be in the low normal of some ranges, and outside in the high side of others. Unfortunately, celiac disease can be really hard to diagnose in little ones, as the test results aren't always accurate.

I know how hard it can be to wait for those specialist appointments, and I just encourage you to keep pushing when you get there until you get answers. I wish someone had encouraged me to do that - we went for regular 6 month appointments for years before my son got a celiac diagnosis. Don't let them just send you away with a prescription or two, like I did. Hope your son feels better soon.

[seezee]

If you are going to Children's hospital in Boston I suggest you make sure to work with the celiac specialists. They are wonderful. We went there and the first appointment they will re-do the blood work and talk to you about symptoms. They use a lab in Buffalo. We go there.

Also you can read this:

https://www.celiac.com/articles/57/1/Interpretation-of-Celiac-Disease-Blood-Test-Results/Page1.html

[mrsblack]

Hi~I saw your post and joined to answer your question. My DD is 12 months old and I have her lab work here and it says 21-117 as the normal range for Iga. My DD's Iga is 23. I think 84 is a really good Iga. My DD is autoimmune neutropenic and also being tested for celiac, my best piece of advice for you is to go to the lab and request a copy of your sons blood work and keep a file folder. That way whenever you have any questions you have all the information at your fingertips.

HTH!