blood test parameters

[alj67]

Hi, i was referred to a gastro specialist two years ago and still no outcome. my symptoms are similar to ibs so i am assuming that is what i have. i recently mentioned about having a blood test for celiac disease as i do notice when i have gluten my symptoms are intensified. i had my results over a month ago and have been trying to get the doctor to go through the results with me. the result number means nothing to me but is outside the normal range on the low end. i just want someone to tell me if i need to worry or not!! does anyone know the celiac disease parameters for immunoglobulin A my result was 0.62 g/L if that helps. Thank you!!

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @alj67!

Different labs used different ranges for all these celiac diagnostic tests in order to establish what is low vs. normal vs. high. Without knowing the range parameters used by the lab doing the analysis we cannot shed any light on your question. Do you have any more information? Was that the only test run? It looks like it may have been the test for what we commonly call "total IGA" which is a measure of IGA deficiency/sufficiency. If total IGA is low, i.e., deficient, the individual IGA antibody tests used to diagnose celiac disease may give falsely negative results, or at least lower scores than they ought otherwise. In your reply, please post all test info you have exactly as you have it.

Edited 16 hours ago by trents

[alj67]

Hi @trents

the results show 0.87-4.12g/L as the normal range. they also ran a bone and thyroid profile both of which were fine. i have previously had an ultrasound where nothing was seen and have done a breath test which came back as ‘High methane production, possible IMO’ 

Thanks

[RMJ]

That is a test for total IgA, it is not a test for the IgAs related to celiac disease. As Trents said, since it is a bit low, the celiac IgA tests may give falsely low results. 

[trents]

I think is is significant that you say your symptoms are worse after consuming gluten. Your next logical step would be to request a celiac panel including IGA and, since your total IGA is deficient, IGG antibody tests:

TTG-IGA

DGP-IGA

TTG-IGG

DGP-IGG

You would need to be eat a significant amount of gluten daily, the equivalent of at least 4-6 slices of wheat bread or 10g daily, for several weeks before the blood draw. If you are withholding gluten from your diet the testing will be invalidated. You could also have (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) instead of celiac disease. NCGS shares many of the same symptoms of celiac disease but does not damage the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. There is no test for it. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. Some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Eliminating gluten from your life is the antidote for both. An NCGS diagnosis depends on first ruling out celiac disease through testing.

Edited 14 hours ago by trents

[alj67]

@trents. @RMJ 

Thank you so much that is really helpful i’m going to try and get a blood test for those!