Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Total Serum Iga And Iga Deficiency......

wolfie

Recommended Posts

wolfie Enthusiast
wolfie
Posted

Long story short.....my nutritionist suggested I get tested for Celiac and rule it out (I had been diagnosed with IBS and was trying to recover from an eating disorder). My PCP ordered the tests (I had no idea what the tests involved at this point in time ~ Dec 2005). The results came out IgG was positive at 55 (should be under 20). Anti-gliadin IgA was 5 (normal) and TtG was 2 (normal). PCP advised gluten-free diet and said I could see a GI specialist if I wanted. I went gluten-free and did end up seeing a GI after that. GI wanted to do endoscopy, but I had such a positive dietary response, she was okay with my just continuing the gluten-free diet unless I stopped feeling well or new symptoms arose. Fast forward to June....I finally convinced my kids Ped to test my son (10) and his TtG came back highly positive at 222 (supposed to be under 100). He is awaiting a GI appt on 8/15, still on gluten..LOL. So now I wonder......Is it possible the reason my tests came back the way they did is because I have an IgA deficiency? Can they test that now that I am off gluten? Not that it matters, but it may explain why the tests "looked" normal. Another factor....I had been on South Beach (lower carbs) for almost a year before I was tested, so that could have effected the test, too. One of the reasons I am curious, too, I want my dr to re-test either at 6 months or 1 yr gluten-free to make sure that all the tests are normal and wanted to know that if I do have that deficiency, whether or not the gluten-free diet will make a difference or whether that number will still how a deficiency if there is one. Sorry if that is confusing......I tried to make it as clear as possible.

Thanks for all thoughts. :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


chrissy Collaborator
chrissy
Posted

i'm a little confused as to what you are asking. are you wondering about your anti-gliadin and TTg levels being in the normal range? what IgG levels came back high?(endomysial, TTg, etc.?) my son is IgA deficient also. on his original TTg test he came back with a .1-----the rest of us (normal IgA) came back with values such as: .6, .7, etc.----except the kids with celiac, of course---they were higher. we did testing through promethius on him, which showed he as the DQ2 gene, but showed no active disease. he also says the test is inconclusive (i'm a tad confused here?) he told us that ian needs to be tested yearly. i'm sure none of this helped.......but this is our experience with IgA deficiency.

TCA Contributor
TCA
Posted

We did gene testing through proemehteus, but the other tests were through a local lab and IgA deficiency wasn't tested. Prometheus sent us a nice little packet by calling 1-888-423-5227 if you want one. I have the same question you have (I understood, believe it or not, :P ). Does a gluten-free diet improve IgA deficiency?

wolfie Enthusiast
wolfie
Posted
  • Author

The IgG was Anti-gliadin...sorry!!

Yes, does a gluten-free diet improve the IgA deficiency or would that remain.

chrissy Collaborator
chrissy
Posted

i don't think a gluten free diet will change the total IgA serum levels. our ped gi tested the total IgA serum levels when he did the first TTg levels on our family, i assume so that he would know what tests to run in the future.

if i understand things right, TTg shows how much damage there is, and anti-gliadin levels can be raised in other conditions besides celiac. ( i think crohns might raise it)

how are you doing in your recovery from your eating disorder----i'm really hoping you're going to tell me something positive!!!

loraleena Contributor
loraleena
Posted

Not that this is what you are asking, but I am amazed at how many of us have or have had eating disorders. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a triggering factor for me.

wolfie Enthusiast
wolfie
Posted
  • Author
i don't think a gluten free diet will change the total IgA serum levels. our ped gi tested the total IgA serum levels when he did the first TTg levels on our family, i assume so that he would know what tests to run in the future.

if i understand things right, TTg shows how much damage there is, and anti-gliadin levels can be raised in other conditions besides celiac. ( i think crohns might raise it)

how are you doing in your recovery from your eating disorder----i'm really hoping you're going to tell me something positive!!!

I am doing very well in my recovery, thanks for asking. I am 33 now, but started with anorexia at 15 (got down to 95 lbs at 5'7" tall). I was recovered the first time by 17, but never had counseling and was never told that I could relapse. Last year at 32 and 2 kids later, I found myself back in my old habits.....obsessing about my weight (more specifically the # involved....OCD) and restricting foods (calories/carbs). I wasn't even overweight at the time (5'7" and 128 lbs), just had a lot of anxiety and OCD issues. I told my dr at my yearly (down to 118) in Oct and she put me on Lexapro and referred me to a counselor and nutritionist (the one who caught my Celiac/gluten intolerance). I was honestly trying to get better at that point, but so many foods bothered me that I think subconciously I wasn't eating anymore b/c it hurt. Now, almost 6 months into the gluten-free diet I am up 10 pounds and feel better than I have in years. I am hoping to get off the Lexapro in the next 6 months, as I hope the anxiety is much improved since removing gluten from my diet.

Sorry that got so long!!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,724
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    HNB
    Newest Member
    HNB
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.4k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      My Adult daughter is blaming me for her "possible" Celiac disease.

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi Marie Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry your daughter is pointing the finger at you like this.   I am afraid children of any age can be very cruel to their parents - I certainly look back at some of the things I said to my mother and father in the past, and wish I could unsay them.  Sometimes people just need a safe place to vent, and unfortunately having a go at one's parents is the all too easy option.  If she is anything like me, she will regret what she says one day.  (Oh... if only I had the chance rewind the clock!) I just wanted to add one more thing to Trent's and Scott's excellent posts and that is regarding diet:  I have to say, not one person  (my nutritionist, my gastroenterologist or GP) has EVER suggested that a poor diet was the cause of my coeliac disease.    In all the various clinics I have attended these past nearly 12 years no-one has ever asked if I was brought up on processed food, or questioned if I eat 5 fruit and veg a day.  Sure, unfortunately I am only too well aware that I could do a lot better with my diet and it's a constant challenge for me not to give into what I like (unfortunately I've always had a sweet tooth).   But I know some super healthy 10 fruit and veg a day types who still got coeliac disease, and equally, a lot of people who eat all the wrong stuff and they still have cast iron stomachs. Do encourage her to get checked though - it may be that she hasn't got coeliac disease at all. Come back to us if you need any more support through the process. Cristiana
    • trents
      My Adult daughter is blaming me for her "possible" Celiac disease.

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Marie70! The first thing to know is that celiac disease has a genetic base. The two main genes that have been identified as providing the potential to develop celiac disease are HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. About 40% of  the general population carries one or both of these genes. However, only about 1% of the general population ever develops celiac disease. So, we know that in addition to possessing the genetic potential to develop celiac disease, there has to be some triggering environmental or medical "stress" factor (or factors) that switches the gene or genes on such that they are awakened from their latent condition and become active. What may be the triggering factor (or factors) is the subject of much debate. Here is an article that discusses this subject: Second, what will your daughter have to say if her testing for celiac disease is negative? She may have to add crow to her diet. Third, and this is what I really want to focus on because my wife and I are dealing with something similar in our relationship with our own adult daughter: the real problem is not whatever shortcomings you, as the family cook, may have had when providing meals, the real problem is with your daughter's heart/soul/attitude. If it turns out to be true that she has celiac disease, it is likely she would have developed the condition sooner or later even if her diet had been healthier while growing up. She is angry about the prospect of having to deal with the dietary and social limitations that having celiac disease would impose upon her. She doesn't want to face up to the fact that this may be a new reality that will dramatically changer her life and she is looking for someone or something to blame. And she has conveniently turned her wrath on you rather than saying to herself, "Okay, this is what it is. Now what can I do to make adjustments in order to with it the best way I can?"  When faced with a life-changing reality, people will either accept it for what it is, make adjustments and move on or they will become angry and look for something or someone to blame and get stuck. For now, at least, your daughter has chosen the latter option. Don't let her problem destroy both of you.
    • Scott Adams
      My Adult daughter is blaming me for her "possible" Celiac disease.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It sounds like you’re carrying a lot of guilt, but please know that you didn’t cause your daughter’s potential celiac disease or your son’s Crohn’s. These conditions have strong genetic components, and while diet can influence symptoms, it does not cause autoimmune diseases. You did the best you could with the knowledge you had at the time, and no parent is perfect. Your daughter’s frustration is understandable, but it’s likely coming from a place of fear and uncertainty rather than true blame. Let her get tested, and if she does have celiac disease, you can support her moving forward. Instead of focusing on guilt, try shifting the conversation toward healing and learning together. You’re not alone, and you don’t deserve to carry this weight on your own. This article might be helpful. She needs to be screened for celiac disease before she can be sure that she has it. Another approach not discussed in the article is a genetic test for celiac disease, which she could do without eating gluten.      
    • Marie70
      My Adult daughter is blaming me for her "possible" Celiac disease.

      By Marie70 · Posted

      Hello, My mid twenties daughter is blaming my husband and I for her celiac disease.  She has not been diagnosed at all, but GOOGLE has informed her she has it.  She is going to go get tested now, but my question is, did we?  I was not the best cook while she was growing up and often made quick processed food for meals.  She is blaming us for what she ate growing up and is angry that we didn't feed her better.  I don't know how to react and all I could tell her was I was sorry.  Her older brother has Crohn's disease and he was diagnosed as a teenager.  She is also furious with us that we didn't change his diet either.  I don't know why I didn't and I am having so much guilt I don't even know how to handle this situation.  Both sides of our family have a history of IBS, Celiac and Crohn's disease.   I guess I just wanted to hear from anyone out there that can either point blame at me (I can accept it) or tell me that the food she ate growing up didn't have an affect on her.  I am thinking it most likely did. Thank you, Marie
    • RMJ
      High blood test numbers - with scales. Any advice?

      By RMJ · Posted

      I’d say celiac is likely.  Please continue to eat plenty of gluten until your endoscopy to be sure that any gluten-related damage can be seen.  Plus it gives you one last chance to enjoy your favorite gluten-containing foods. I hope the endoscopy/biopsies give you a definitive answer. 
×
×
  • Create New...