Ttg Level Drop... Opinions?

[Kim27]

Hi All!!

So to reiterate my story quickly, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease in April. In March I had a ttg level of 168. I've been completely gluten-free since 4/28 (biopsy date) (that I know of!!!). My doctor wanted to check some vitamin levels last week and so she said while we're at it we might as well check your ttg-iga level. I protested because I had only been gluten-free for 5 weeks and thought it wouldn't be enough time for my levels to drop really or be normal. She insisted saying let's just see to see if your body is dropping/responding at all. I had read that most people don't get rechecked until 4 to 5 months after being gluten-free. So I heard from the nurse today that as of last Friday my ttg level is at 65. The doctor hasn't had a chance to talk to me about it yet, but the nurse did divulge the level number. So what do you all think??? At 5 weeks gluten-free should it lower??? Should it be closer to normal????!!! The normal range they use it 0-19. I want to be encouraged that it has dropped to 65 and just think my body needs more time, but I also want others opinions to see if they think it should be lower than that by now and gluten might be sneaking in somewhere!

Thanks for any opinions!

Kim

[Skylark]

You're doing great! It usually takes a few months for Ab levels to drop so seeing results after five weeks is good news.

[WheatChef]

Some IgA levels can take half a year or so to drop to normal levels. You're certainly on the right track!

[Kim27]

My doctor called later this afternoon & said she's very happy with these results so far & that Im doing good with it. She said normally within 5-6 months, the ttg should be closer to the normal range. Thanks everyone for the encouragement! Knowing that it has dropped by 103 already makes the hassle worth it!

[DonaldandAlanda Evans]

My TTG went back to normal after a little less than 3 months

[kayo]

Can you remind me, what's the normal range for ttg?

[Jestgar]

The normal range will depend on the lab that does the testing.

[WheatChef]

Normally anywhere from <8 to <19

[Kim27]

My lab uses <19 as normal. I know labs can vary but from what I've read from others on here for the TTG IGA that seems to be pretty typical. 0-19 is normal, 20-30 lowly positive, >30 very positive (at least that's what my Dr. told me)

[Kim27]

I have a typo in my previous post, not <19 normal, it's 19 and <

[sa1937]

I think it definitely depends on the lab. My lab said:

< 5 Negative

5 - 8 Equivocal

> 8 Positive

My tTG was > 100 (definitely positive followed up with EGD/biopsy - also positive)

[SaraKat]

Hello- my TTG level was 38 and my lab said <5 negative. I have my biopsy Tuesday morning- did you have a lot of intestinal damage? I am so nervous about that. I have this horrible pain in my left side (just under the ribs and wraps around the the lower back).

Does a higher TTG level indicate more intestinal damage?

[Skylark]

.

Does a higher TTG level indicate more intestinal damage?

Not really. Don't worry. Even if there is damage, it will heal when you go off gluten.