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-   -   Need help with lab results (https://www.neurotalk.org/gluten-sensitivity-celiac-disease/223652-help-lab-results.html)

Cheryl1818 07-27-2015 10:08 AM

Need help with lab results
 
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a new headache specialist who suggested that I try a gluten-free diet. After researching this, I thought I might have Celiac disease based on these symptoms: chronic nausea, abdominal pain, depression, low levels of globulin and total protein, low vitamin D and B-12, unexplained weight loss, headaches, and facial nerve pain.

Before starting the diet, I asked my doctor to test me. The nurse called the next day and said "no evidence of Celiac disease." This morning, they finally posted my lab results online. I'll copy them here-
Immunoglobulin A, QN, Serum (MG/DL) 24 (normal range 91 to 414)
T-Transglutaminase (TTG) IGA (U/ML) <2 (normal range 0-3)

Should I be worried about the low IgA? From what I read online, the low IgA level will skew the TTG result.

If anyone can explain this to me, I would be very grateful. Thanks! Cheryl

kiwi33 07-28-2015 04:05 AM

Hi Cheryl

I am an immunologist (among other things) but am not a health professional.

Your low serum IgA might be indicative of coeliac disease but it is not conclusive.

I suggest that you get your care team to check for IgA which is specific for gliadin - this can be diagnostic.

There is more info about this here; https://labtestsonline.org/understan...ease/tab/test/ .

All the best.

glenntaj 07-28-2015 05:59 AM

And yes--
 
--low total IgA can skew the results of the anti-transglutaminase IgA test for celiac, most often in a false negative direction.

You may have to go for the gold standard--endoscopic intestinal biopsy to search for atrophied villi. Just make sure it is done at a place familiar with the protocol at which they will take many samples from many different parts of the intestine, not just one of two--especially in the early stages damage from celiac can be patchy.

Cheryl1818 07-28-2015 10:26 AM

I know this question has been asked and answered on here before. Thanks to both of you for responding to my question. Both the doctors I have talked to about this seem to think I should forget about testing and just skip straight to going gluten-free. I can't have any more testing right now anyway since I already started eating gluten-free.

Thanks again, Cheryl

mrsD 07-28-2015 10:28 AM

I'd really get an endoscope as a last resort. New data is coming out that these scopes are not cleaned properly and spread disease...up to 30% have been found to be contaminated.

And now a "super bug" has been found passed on to 10 patients at a teaching hospital center, from a dirty upper endoscope.

Going gluten free is non-invasive and non drug and much safer IMO. If you Google "contaminated endoscopes" you'll find lots of horrific reports.

DejaVu 07-29-2015 10:50 PM

MrsD raises a very important point. Please be careful about endoscopies.

Doctors would not believe me, just last Fall, when I was telling them about these dirty scopes. Lol! Where are they getting their info, or are they? We know some are not keeping up with important info.

In addition, endoscopies with anesthesia can cause pneumonia. This includes not only upper endoscopies, but also lower colonoscopies. Heart complications may occur, as well.

People on long-term pain medications often need anesthesia/anesthesiology present during these procedures (while patients not on long-term pain meds do not need anesthesiologists present for colonoscopies).

I see value in simply moving onto the elimination diet. :)

I hope the diet will help you to feel better, all around. :hug:

Warmly,
DejaVu


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