[bobbyj]

Thanks for your replies, pabb and jccglutenfree.

No, I was not tested for total IgA. Because I registered something (2 RU/ml) for the Gliadin IgA, I was assuming that this meant that I was not IgA deficient - ie. if I was deficient, I would have registered nothing. Is this not right?

If I am not IgA deficient, then what would such a high level of Gliadin IgG potentially mean? Wouldn't it be unusual to have high IgG but normal IgA?

Thanks for your links, Cara, which I've been looking at. I also found this on ** website:

>>If a patient’s celiac panel is only positive for antigliadin IgG, this is not highly suggestive for CELIAC DISEASE if the patient has a normal total IgA level, corrected for age. [...] A markedly elevated antigliadin IgG, such as greater than three to four times the upper limit of normal for that lab, is highly suggestive of a condition where the gut is leakier to gluten. This can happen in food allergies, cystic fibrosis, parasitic infections, Crohn’s disease, and other types of autoimmune GI diseases.<<

I've found other material on the web about so-called "leaky gut syndrome", though it seems this is somewhat controversial and not an accepted diagnosis in mainstream medicine.

My symptoms have been fatigue/lethargy (which is why I was first checked for Vitamin B12 and found to be deficient). I had B12 shots and was taking B12 sublinguals but have had no noticeable increase in energy. Other symptoms have been short term memory loss and some other cognitive symptoms (lack of clarity, generally feeling slow mentally, thinking one word but saying another); depression and anxiety; psoriasis and eczema (pre-existing for years); thirst/dry mouth; thinning hair. Previously I had some tingling and numbness in the extremities but this has stopped.

Any additional advice or ideas from anyone would be welcome. Thanks greatly.

[jccgf]

From what I have read in the past, it is considered Total IgA deficency if you have a total IgA of 7 or below. I've seen slight variances in this value, like 10 instead of 7. However, even if you are just below normal range in total IgA, you can still be considered IgA deficient.... just not completely IgA deficient.

The degree to which "low" IgA affects IgA antibody testing is debatable, however, there has been at least one celiac expert who has said "it can" make a difference. If you make less IgA overall, it makes sense you may make less antigliadin IgA. It may not be a factor in your case.

What antigliadin IgG means is not well defined. It is the least specific of the markers for indicating villous atrophy, and it is seen in conditions other than celiac disease. I have heard it explained that antigliadin IgA is more specific for villous atrophy, and antigliadin IgG may be seen more often in non-gut manifestations. Still, I have met several biopsy proven celiacs who had only an isolate antigliadin IgG.

Statistics for what these various tests mean vary depending upon the study, but here is an example of how specific they are to celiac disease defined by villous atrophy.

The positive predictive value of IgA anti-tTG was 90% and the negative predictive value, 98%. In comparison, results for IgA EMA were 100% and 97%, IgA AGA 94% and 90%, and IgG AGA 70% and 98%, respectively.
Diagnosing celiac disease: a comparison of human tissue transglutaminase antibodies with antigliadin and antiendomysium antibodies. PMID: 15184223 June 2004

Dr. Hadjivasiliou's research with gluten sensitive neurological disease says that antigliadin IgG is the most specific marker available in these patients.

Leaky gut syndrome is making "mainstream" medicine, however, you will more likely see it referred to as intestinal permeability rather than leaky gut syndrome. Probiotics are beginning to make "mainstream" medicine, too.

There is something called zonulin, a protein which controls the tight junction spaces in the intestinal lining and the blood/brain barrier. Dr. Alescio Fasano, a leading celiac researcher, discovered this less than ten years ago. People with celiac disease, diabetes, MS, and other autoimmune diseases have been found to produce more zonulin than the average joe. A zonulin blocking drug is currently in clinical trials that may be used to treat celiac disease, diabetes, and possibly other autoimmune disease. http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/zonulin

And, other things can cause leaky gut, too, like bacterial overgrowth, yeast overgrowth, parasites, viruses, etc. And this may lead to gluten and other food sensitivities, without celiac disease.

This is such a huge subject, and currently under heavy research. They know more today than yesterday, and will know more tomorrow than today. In the meantime, a gluten free diet would likely help you~ btw, there is a page on psoriasis and gluten in the The Gluten File, too. The most recent study, 2009, is this:

Nutritional influences in psoriasis

Araujo ML, Burgos MG, Moura IS.
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Psoriasis is an inherited inflammatory skin disease mediated by T-cells and influenced by environmental factors. High intake of omega-3, fasting, low-calorie and vegetarian diets show beneficial effects. Some patients presenting IgA/IgG antigliadin antibodies and who are gluten-sensitive improve after a gluten-free diet. Calcitriol is used in topical treatment. The use of alcohol may exacerbate the disease. In this report, diet factors are analyzed and their benefits in psoriasis are described.
PMID: 19377768

Just keep reading and talking to others who have gluten sensitivity. Do keep taking the B12 forever, too! I had some of those same symptoms when B12 deficient. I hope you will decide to do a six month gluten free trial, at least, to see if you notice any differences. Many who have problems with gluten also have problems with casein (cow's milk).

The energy part... I still struggle with this... and it always amazes me that when I get back on a full regimen of vitamins... I am always more energetic. Most recently, I have found supplementing vitamin D this winter has helped my energy level. I also need to be sure to take a B-complex, and supplementing omega 3's can help with energy levels, too.

Do you have thyroid disease?

[bobbyj]

Thanks for the additional info, Cara. No, I don't have thyroid problems according to my test results (TSH, T3 and T4 were fine).

Thanks once more.

[pabb]

Originally Posted by bobbyj

Thanks for the additional info, Cara. No, I don't have thyroid problems according to my test results (TSH, T3 and T4 were fine).

Thanks once more.

always get copies of all your lab work, and compare over time.
i would be interested in your TSH....some docs/labs are still using old standards.....if it is over 3.5 it is now considered abnormal

[JohnDory]

Hi, I have the same syptoms and the same elevated Gliadin iGg antibodies, without elevation of any others. My b12 is fine.

My iGg was 180, where the upper limit was 70, not sure what units were used, but over twice the upper limit for a strong positive result.

My memeory is getting very bad, often forgeting I just made a coffee and making another one, and another one untill i end up with 3 coffees around the house...

I want to get tested for candida, as have heard this can cause these symptoms as well as a leaky gut and immune reactions to foods.

Have been off gluten for 3 weeks now and can not say i notice an improvement.

[pabb]

what was the B12.....if you are in the USA the limits are too low....many persons are symptomatic when their docs have said there is no problem....most persons find a very steep learning curving with the gluten free diet.....so unless you are eating straight from your garden you may be getting glutened and not know it....lots of whole foods and label reading...and some persons take longer to respond....you had to "work your way up to" that high reading, it will take time to come down....keep a diary of sx.....you may have improved, and not realized it....good luck

[JohnDory]

Thanks for the response.

My latest b12 was 700-odd, that was after b-vit supplements. Was 350-ish before then so obviously had some room to absorb more.

Yes I agree with the steep learning curve. Before the high iGg result my gluten free diet was mainly avoiding pure gluten foods like bread, pasta etc, thinking a small amount won't hurt me. Am now aware of contamination even from using a toaster etc, so am going to be a lot more strict from now on and hopefully see some big improvements.

[pabb]

Originally Posted by bobbyj

Thanks for your replies, pabb and jccglutenfree.

No, I was not tested for total IgA. Because I registered something (2 RU/ml) for the Gliadin IgA, I was assuming that this meant that I was not IgA deficient - ie. if I was deficient, I would have registered nothing. Is this not right?

If I am not IgA deficient, then what would such a high level of Gliadin IgG potentially mean? Wouldn't it be unusual to have high IgG but normal IgA?

Thanks for your links, Cara, which I've been looking at. I also found this on ** website:

>>If a patient’s celiac panel is only positive for antigliadin IgG, this is not highly suggestive for CELIAC DISEASE if the patient has a normal total IgA level, corrected for age. [...] A markedly elevated antigliadin IgG, such as greater than three to four times the upper limit of normal for that lab, is highly suggestive of a condition where the gut is leakier to gluten. This can happen in food allergies, cystic fibrosis, parasitic infections, Crohn’s disease, and other types of autoimmune GI diseases.<<

I've found other material on the web about so-called "leaky gut syndrome", though it seems this is somewhat controversial and not an accepted diagnosis in mainstream medicine.

My symptoms have been fatigue/lethargy (which is why I was first checked for Vitamin B12 and found to be deficient). I had B12 shots and was taking B12 sublinguals but have had no noticeable increase in energy. Other symptoms have been short term memory loss and some other cognitive symptoms (lack of clarity, generally feeling slow mentally, thinking one word but saying another); depression and anxiety; psoriasis and eczema (pre-existing for years); thirst/dry mouth; thinning hair. Previously I had some tingling and numbness in the extremities but this has stopped.

Any additional advice or ideas from anyone would be welcome. Thanks greatly.

now, you KNOW what they say about that word........

[jlshampoing]

Originally Posted by bobbyj

Thanks for your replies, pabb and jccglutenfree.

No, I was not tested for total IgA. Because I registered something (2 RU/ml) for the Gliadin IgA, I was assuming that this meant that I was not IgA deficient - ie. if I was deficient, I would have registered nothing. Is this not right?

If I am not IgA deficient, then what would such a high level of Gliadin IgG potentially mean? Wouldn't it be unusual to have high IgG but normal IgA?

Thanks for your links, Cara, which I've been looking at. I also found this on ** website:

>>If a patient’s celiac panel is only positive for antigliadin IgG, this is not highly suggestive for CELIAC DISEASE if the patient has a normal total IgA level, corrected for age. [...] A markedly elevated antigliadin IgG, such as greater than three to four times the upper limit of normal for that lab, is highly suggestive of a condition where the gut is leakier to gluten. This can happen in food allergies, cystic fibrosis, parasitic infections, Crohn’s disease, and other types of autoimmune GI diseases.<<

I've found other material on the web about so-called "leaky gut syndrome", though it seems this is somewhat controversial and not an accepted diagnosis in mainstream medicine.

My symptoms have been fatigue/lethargy (which is why I was first checked for Vitamin B12 and found to be deficient). I had B12 shots and was taking B12 sublinguals but have had no noticeable increase in energy. Other symptoms have been short term memory loss and some other cognitive symptoms (lack of clarity, generally feeling slow mentally, thinking one word but saying another); depression and anxiety; psoriasis and eczema (pre-existing for years); thirst/dry mouth; thinning hair. Previously I had some tingling and numbness in the extremities but this has stopped.

Any additional advice or ideas from anyone would be welcome. Thanks greatly.

I was also low on B12, then I asked my doctor to test also other B vitamins, and I was 5 times lower than the recommended minimun on B3 and B7 (Biotin), most other B vitamins were close to minimum except B6 and B9. B6 occasionally boost up to 3 times the recommended maximum (no explanation to this so far). But almost all B vitamines can be involved with tingling and numbness. I suggest you have all B vitamines tested (B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B7 biotin, B9, B12). Maybe you have also other vitamin deficiencies which you did not test yet.
My test on anti paratial cells was negative and on anti intrinsic factor was positiv with a value of 15 (5 being the upper normal level). My current gastro doctor did not understand this. He seems to be Ok without being fantastic, the 2 others I had before were absolutely hopeless. They made me completely sick. They gave me PPI during 3 month on high doses without even testing my stomac acid during the gastroscopie. My docter I have now found I did not have enough acid. He said I had no gluten intollerance, but I will test this by myself (only starting now) as I have had so many mistaken diagnostics by some doctors that now, I always verify on the internet what they tell me. Unfortunately some doctors are so bad, they do more bad than good.
All the best to you anyway.