Elevated TTG iga 23.38 and iga 436

[Jayl]

I have been diagnosed with Sjogrens syndrome for about 5 years and have always had unexplained GI symptoms. Just recently I went back to the GI doctor seeking some answers. He initially diagnosed me with IBS and said he would run a few test just in case. Well my appointment was yesterday and now today he called saying that my blood tests so far show I might have Celiac disease and he needs to schedule me for an EGD biopsy to confirm the diagnoses.  I took a look at my labs and my TTG iga is 23.38 normal range being less than 3.99 and my IGA was 436, normal being less than 400. I am very confused because I keep reading different things about the relationship between the TTG IGA and the IGA test. Is there anyone here who knows more information about these two tests? Thanks for your help.

[GFinDC]

Hi Jayl,

They usually do a serum IgA test to verify the person can make IgA.  Some people can't make IgA so for them the IgA type tests are useless.  That 436 number is probably the total serum IgA test result.  It means you do make IgA type antibodies so the IgA type antibody test results are valid in your case.

[Jayl]

Thank you! This makes sense and verifies my understanding of what I had already read about it. Someone from my Sjogren's group had said that she believed it only meant Celiac if the IGA was low and ttg IGA was high but both of mine are elevated, so it confused me. 

[cyclinglady]

Jayl,  

Keep eating gluten daily until you get that endoscopy.  All celiac testing requires you to be on a full gluten diet.  ?

[Jayl]

Thank you, that is what my doctor said as well. It is just so surreal to me right now. I have been complaining of these issues for years, on top of neuro symptoms and doctors always made me feel very unvalidated when I would try to explain my symptoms. It made sound weird to say, but it's a relief knowing their might finally be an answer and a treatment for the way I feel all the time! 

[Jayl]

Just curious is there something else that could cause your TTg IGA to be high? I read that this test is pretty specific to Celiac. I do have Sjogren's syndrome as well but just wondering what he meant when he said "might" have Celiac.

[cyclinglady]

If the TTG is slightly elevated, it could be attributed to other autoimmune disorders.  But your result was pretty high.  Your doctor probably said “might” because an endoscopy to obtain intestinal biopsies is still recommended by the American Gastroenterologist Associations (UK and US) and all major celiac disease research centers.  The endoscopy will set a benchmark for future biopsies if needed and rule out other issues that could be concurrently going on (e.g. Crohn’s, SIBO, Gastritis, etc.).  

[Jayl]

This makes complete sense. He said he needed biospy to confirm the diagnoses so that must be why.  Looking into Celiac, it literally explains all my symptoms. I even read it can cause women to have low birth weight babies, my last 2 were small 5lbs 17inches full term. I usually feel crazy after leaving doctor appointments because they can never figure out what's wrong. Glad to finally be getting answers. Thanks for your help.

[frieze]

11 hours ago, Jayl said:

This makes complete sense. He said he needed biospy to confirm the diagnoses so that must be why.  Looking into Celiac, it literally explains all my symptoms. I even read it can cause women to have low birth weight babies, my last 2 were small 5lbs 17inches full term. I usually feel crazy after leaving doctor appointments because they can never figure out what's wrong. Glad to finally be getting answers. Thanks for your help.

celiac can be related to recurrent miscarriage.