Jbadeo

  On 11/17/2011 at 1:25 AM, Skylark said:

You didn't stop eating gluten before the negative TTG test did you?

I was still eating gluten, although I was going through a phase with only sporadic symptoms (once or twice a week).

Hi all. I posted before, but wanted a few more opinions in regards to my symptoms and blood test results. I have been having on going digestive symptoms such as constant nausea, diarrhea and loose stools, and just a general feeling of being unwell. I developed these symptoms over a year ago. Sometimes my symptoms come and go, lasting 4 or 5 days, and other times I may only feel unwell 2 or 3 times a month.

Here is one blood test result below:

Component Your result Standard range Units

TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IgG 0.89 < 0.90 - Index

Tissue transglutaminase IgA 1.53 < 0.90 - Index

Since these tests, my GI dr ordered a full celiac panel as well as a genetic blood test. My celiac panel results were all in the normal range, including my Ttg IgG and IgA (my IgA was positive above only a month prior). I would post my ranges for the full celiac panel, but unfortunately misplaced the paper. My genetic test determined I carry the DQ-8 gene, and signaled I have only a moderate probability of developing Celiac. I am twice as likely to develop it.

Just curious, I know Ttg IgA is not specific for Celiacs like some of the other tests found on the full celiac panel, but why did I have a high positive result (ruling out I probably don't have crones or any other diseases going)? And then why was the result negative only a month later on the full celiac panel? It's just confusing.

Have there been any other celaics on this board diagnosed as having celiac disease and only carry the DQ-8 gene?

  On 10/27/2011 at 9:05 PM, mushroom said:

The IgG is usually run as a backup in case you do not make normal amounts of IgA. See the following from celiac.com:

http://www.celiac.co...ests/Page1.html

How good are these tests?

If all of the blood test results are positive a celiac disease diagnosis is 90% accurate. However, there are several circumstances in which the tests can be inaccurate. IGA and IGG are two different varieties of antibodies which are produced by most peoples immune systems. There is a different blood test for each of the antibodies. Of the two tests, the IGA gliadin and IGA endomysial tests are the most accurate. However, this test can become negative relatively quickly after going on a gluten-free diet (3-6 months), which can cause a false negative test result. The IGG is less specific, and can sometimes be positive in non-celiacs. Also, about 4% of celiacs have no IgA at all! For these reasons it is very important that both tests are done for an accurate diagnosis. The biopsy is still considered the "standard candle" to confirm a blood diagnosis, and give a 100% sure diagnosis.

It is not necessary to test positive on every celiac test to have a confirmed diagnosis. There are several other tests such as the endomysial (EMA) which your doctor did not run.

Thank you for the reply. So I am just trying to comprehend everything, and I am sorry if my understanding is unclear. Would my positive blood results not necessarily hold weight then, since my Dr did not run the complete panel? I have read about false negatives, but not much about false positives.

Hello all. Just learning about celiac disease after a blood test came back positive. Can anyone help me interpret my results? Below I have included my index results and range:

TTG

tTG Ab, IgG Results: 0.89Index range < 0.90

tTG Ab, IgA Results: 1.53Index range <0.90

What is the likelihood I am positive for celiac disease with one result being positive (ttg IgA) and the other result negative (ttg IgG). Thank you in advanced for any insight,

JB