Help Interpreting Test Results

[Mrs. M.]

Hi-

I am brand new to this group. I recently had a blood test for gluten intolerance and the results came back as follows:

tissue transglutinaminase IgA 0.41 (standard <0.90)

tissue transglutinaminase IgG 1.41 (standard <0.90)

I asked my doctor what this meant and the reply was: you have celiac disease. You should start a gluten-free diet now. the end

In general I like my doctor but I was shocked by this response. Everything I have read about celiac disease says that the intestinal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. Also, everything I read says that the IgG is used when the patient has overall IgA deficiency. I don't think I have this. I don't have severe symptoms. I was tested because of back pain. When I read about celiac disease, I can see a lot of symptoms that I have in a mild form.

I would love any opinions that people have for me as I wait to hear back from my doctor. Thank you!

[beachbirdie]

Hi-

I am brand new to this group. I recently had a blood test for gluten intolerance and the results came back as follows:

tissue transglutinaminase IgA 0.41 (standard <0.90)

tissue transglutinaminase IgG 1.41 (standard <0.90)

I asked my doctor what this meant and the reply was: you have celiac disease. You should start a gluten-free diet now. the end

In general I like my doctor but I was shocked by this response. Everything I have read about celiac disease says that the intestinal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. Also, everything I read says that the IgG is used when the patient has overall IgA deficiency. I don't think I have this. I don't have severe symptoms. I was tested because of back pain. When I read about celiac disease, I can see a lot of symptoms that I have in a mild form.

I would love any opinions that people have for me as I wait to hear back from my doctor. Thank you!

The IgG will give you good information whether or not you are IgA deficient. It's only those who are IgA deficient who need the IgG version of tests.

I'm surprised your doctor jumped so quickly to diagnosis. So many doctors will look at a positive blood test and still argue that a person is not celiac if they don't fit a certain "mold" or have all the symptoms...nice you don't have to argue with him/her.

[ravenwoodglass]

You mentioned in your other post that you have started the diet and are feeling better. With that combined with positive blood work it sounds like you are one of us. Since the biopsy can have false negatives and positive blood work trumps negative biopsy I think you have a good doctor who caught this early.

Please note that if you do decide to do more tests you HAVE to be eating gluten. So if you are going to pursue more testing get back on gluten immediately. Your body may not like you doing that though.

[Jsny1010]

In my limited experience the tTG IgG is Sensitive and Specific - all the blood tests are used because no one test will show positive in every patient. Depending on the severity of the damage biopsy results are a great way to confirm the diagnosis, but its not 100% that they will be able to see damage in cases where the celiac disease is in a juvenile form.

If your off gluten and feel better, most people will because it is healthier than it might be worth a shot trying to be gluten-free for a length of time to see if your back issues clear up, cant hurt.