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

Tissue Transglutaminase Test Results


jackietran

Recommended Posts

jackietran Newbie

Hi everyone,

My Tissue Transglutaminase IGG and IGA results came back tonight and it came back negative:

TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGG 0.39 <0.90-Index

TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGA 048 <0.90-Index

I have been having the typical symptoms of Celiac Disease, but wasn't sure if it was from a medication for my diabetes. My doctor ordered for these tests to be done after 9 months of being on the medication and having constant diarrhea (up to 3-4 times a day), stomach making noses, painful cramps, nausea, vomiting, etc. The medication's side effects was only diarrhea and that should have subsided in 3-4 months after being put on it as my body got used to it. However, even previous to being on this medication, I always had problems with food and my stomach, but never thought too much into it.

Since I have been off the medication 1 1/2 weeks ago and am still eating some type of gluten each day (since I heard you should stay on a gluten diet in case a biopsy needs to be done), I have not had diarrhea or stomach cramps until TODAY. And, it was strange to me, that I ate a pastry and was immediately knocked out and slept for 1 1/2 hours during the day. This hasn't happened since I've been off the medication and stopped eating huge amounts of gluten at once.

Anyways, I was comparing others' negative result values with mine. I'm noticing that many had lower IGG and IGA results than mine. For example, an IGG result of 0.11 and IGA of 0.21. Both of my results are higher than the ones that I've compared with online. Does this make any difference even though mine and another's are less than the standard range of <.90 (as made by Kaiser)? As in, does my higher results mean that I may have a higher possibility of being gluten intolerant vs someone who has lower results? Or does it not matter since it's lower than the standard range.

I apologize if these questions may sound like I'm crazy. I'm not looking to be diagnosed with this (who does?), but I'd just like to have an answer to why I may be having these symptoms. It would make me feel better just knowing that I may have some sensitivity to gluten, but not be officially diagnosed with celiac disease..and not just be clueless!

Thanks!

Jackie


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor

Did your doctor run the antigliadin tests also or just the TTG?

jackietran Newbie

Did your doctor run the antigliadin tests also or just the TTG?

Just the TTG. I've written to her to let her know that my symptoms have come back, but am waiting for her response. I am hoping that she will run other tests rather than my initiating it, but I will if necessary.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

Just the TTG. I've written to her to let her know that my symptoms have come back, but am waiting for her response. I am hoping that she will run other tests rather than my initiating it, but I will if necessary.

After you are done with all testing do give the diet a try as false negatives are not uncommon.

Skylark Collaborator

Anyways, I was comparing others' negative result values with mine. I'm noticing that many had lower IGG and IGA results than mine. For example, an IGG result of 0.11 and IGA of 0.21. Both of my results are higher than the ones that I've compared with online. Does this make any difference even though mine and another's are less than the standard range of <.90 (as made by Kaiser)? As in, does my higher results mean that I may have a higher possibility of being gluten intolerant vs someone who has lower results? Or does it not matter since it's lower than the standard range.

Everything below the standard range is noise. The standard range is not zero because there is always some random background noise in this kind of assay. You also can't compare your numbers to anyone else because labs have different ways to score the assay. You're comparing apples to oranges.

It's really good you don't have TTG. Autoimmunity is no fun. You'll just have to pay attention to your body and how you feel after you eat gluten.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      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
      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
      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
      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
      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.