Ttg Igg, Is It Accurate? Next Step?

[jonny00]

Hi,

just got a blood sample taken & waiting for the results.

I understand from here that the test is innacurate, which would surely mean its a pointless test? but can you get false positive as well as false negative for ttg?

also, read a article written by a so called expert that if the ttg is low, but igg is high, then this means that your g.i. but i thought you couldnt test for intolerence?

what would be my next step of testing when results come back? Im in uk so nhs doctors, who seem to not be very willing to help me probably because of budget cuts. do i need to insist on more tests regardless of what they say?

Thanks alot

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Hi

I am still a bit hazy on the tests.

But in the uk, and when my blood test and biopsy came back negative I managed to persuade my gp to send me to a gastroenterologist who is doing genetic testing and sending me to a nutritionist.

One of the problems with tests is that you need to have been eating gluten regularly for it to work, I can't remember if you have?

Negative testing doesn't need to be the end of the road. Did they test for nutritional deficiency too?

[shadowicewolf]

indeed. My IGA TTG came back positive but the rest of the panel was negative (along with a negative biopsy, but lets not go into that ). Genetic test also came back positive for both genes commonly seen (DQ2 and DQ8 I believe).

You can insist on more testing if you wish.

[GottaSki]

just got a blood sample taken & waiting for the results.

Do you know which tests were ordered? Were you gluten-free or gluten light prior to the blood draw?

I understand from here that the test is innacurate, which would surely mean its a pointless test? but can you get false positive as well as false negative for ttg?

In my opinion if you have digestive, autoimmune or a combo of any of the over 300+ symptoms of Celiac Disease - celiac testing is not pointless.

While it is not impossible to have a false positive - it is very rare - hence the "positive is positive" saying within the celiac community and specialists.

It is possible to be false negative on any of the antibody tests - meaning a person has celiac disease but there are not sufficient antibodies in the blood to be measured as above "normal" in current blood tests.

also, read a article written by a so called expert that if the ttg is low, but igg is high, then this means that your g.i. but i thought you couldnt test for intolerence?

Can you provide a link to the article? It is not clear which tests or results you are speaking about here.

what would be my next step of testing when results come back? Im in uk so nhs doctors, who seem to not be very willing to help me probably because of budget cuts. do i need to insist on more tests regardless of what they say?

Depending on the results and which tests have been ordered, either you may need more blood work, an endoscopy or a dietary elimination of gluten trial of at least three months OR all three.

Celiac blood testing can be confusing and different labs call the antibody tests by slight variations of the celiac blood panel listed here:

Total Serum IgA

Tissue Transglutaminase IgA and IgG

Gliadin IgA and IgG

Endomysial Antibody IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide IgA and IgG

Let us know if you have more questions - it is unfortunate that celiac testing can be confusing and very frustrating.

[beachbirdie]

The TtG IgG is not a pointless test. Many here on the forum have been shown to have celiac, and their only positive test was the TtG IgG.

Unfortunately, it's not as specific to celiac as other tests. Many conditions can cause the TtG IgG to be positive, though its presence IS and indicator of inflammation. If you do have an autoimmune condition going on (this test shows autoimmune tissue damage is occurring) many autoimmune conditions that cause an elevation of this antibody ARE related to gluten.

Autoimmune thyroid (Graves/Hashimoto's) is a biggie, some liver conditions (autoimmune hepatitis) and also juvenile diabetes.

[jonny00]

I have been on gluten heavily you could say, bread, weetabix pasta all the time bread daily.

The doc mentioned it would test liver function & nurse said it tests for all sorts of things but didnt think to ask what for some odd reason.

Doc said it was the ttg test.

I havent got much of the symptoms of celiec but i want to be sure i havnt before i try gluten free.

Had a look for article i mentioned but no luck, im fairly sure it was on this website though. there was green everywhere like background color, menu bars etc.

So when i get results back ill push for gene test & biopsy, what other blood test should i ask for? Full panel?

Appreciate your time peeps

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Make sure to get a copy of results, and post them when you get them. We can help you work out if anything missing.

It is good you are still on gluten at the moment, much easier for testing.

I had one celiac test, but a good range of other nutritional ones. I worked out some of mine were normal, but low normal.

Good luck.

[GottaSki]

Yes, regardless of the results of the tTG, if you are considering removing gluten you should have the full panel I listed above plus nutrient testing as malabsorption is a strong indicator of Celiac Disease.

Bs, D, K, Iron, Ferritin, Copper and Zinc

Also, CBC and CMP if you have not yet had them.

[jonny00]

yer will post results when i get them.

What is the cbc & cmp?

Gottaski do you struggle to get allthe nutrients you need with all the foods your free from? You eat alot of things you dont like taste of?

Im dreading eliminating various foods one by one i can just about maintain healthy diet as is.

[GottaSki]

Complete Blood Count and Complete Metabolic Panel are important basic tests for everyone - not just Celiacs - it is likely that you've already had them.

My list of intolerances is about as bad as it gets. Most folks diagnosed with Celiac Disease are able to simply remove gluten and perhaps dairy while they heal. Others have a few more groups that bother them while healing -- but they do get many foods - except gluten of course - back after their gut has healed.

I have been able to get enough nutrients from my food since removing gluten and other problem foods - which indicates I am finally healing despite the damage that remains in my digestive system. I did supplement extensively during my first years gluten-free as I was deficient in many vitamins and minerals.

And yes, I have to eat foods that I once disliked. The only flour I could use for many months was coconut -- coconut is a food that I strongly disliked since childhood - I found it comical that it became my only source of bread like substance

One step at a time - why do you suspect gluten intolerance or celiac disease? If gluten is your problem it may be the only item that you need to remove. "only" makes it sound easy - it is not. The transition to gluten-free was far more difficult than any other food or food group that I've lost. If you keep your food simple/unprocessed while removing gluten it is better for you and easier to negotiate (not as many labels).

[jonny00]

Hopefully theyve already been done if not ill defo be asking for them.

I also have to eat foods i dislike, but to my surprise they are growing on me with each time i eat them.

I suspect c.d or g.i because of my dark druggie like eyes primarily, like really dark almost black eyes,but also ive got rashes, terrible face skin, pain few mins befor needing number 2, mucus in poo & probs many other things i would never think are gluten related.

Im getting tested for allergys aswell but im going gluten free after celiac testing because i need my eyes to recover somewhat asap as their really preventing me from doing what i want in life. i cant risk food intolerence being the issue as i know recovery will be atleast a year after i eliminate the cause.

food intolerences are just one of many things im investigating but hopefully its not the cause, i really dont want to give up any foods.

Should i ask for any other tests to be done? to check anyting else, ive not been to the docs in almost 10 years. Im really worried i might have something wrong with me that ill only find out about when its too late. any suggestions?

Thanks alot for all your help!