Question about Celiac Results for Anyone who knows!

[A lot of work ahead of me]

I do not understand this at all. Got a results letter from GI today and she wants to do an endoscopy?

Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum Range: 87-474 Mine: 77

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA: Range: 0-3 Mine: <2

Tex, do I need an endoscopy or what?

"Jeanine--Your celiac sprue panel cannot be interpreted due to your low IgA level (immunoglobuin A). This is
found is several percent of the population. Usually, it is of no significance, unless there are additional
immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG and/or IgE). This will be an add on blood test to what you had drawn.
The way we then check for celiac sprue and obtain what is considered "the gold standard" of determining
whether you have celiac sprue is to obtain microscopic duodenal biopsies at the time of upper endoscopy.
This is the most accurate means of determining this information.
Since there is an increased chance that people with microscopic colitis have celiac sprue, this information is
important.
Please call our office to schedule the upper endoscopy."

Thanks,

Jeanine

[tex]

Hi Jeanine,

This result shows that you have selective IgA deficiency (why couldn't your doctor have just said that?). It means that the celiac screening blood test she gave you will not be accurate. So naturally she wants to sell you an endoscopy exam (the kind that killed Joan Rivers) just so she can get biopsy samples from your duodenum to check for celiac disease. She apparently loves to do invasive tests. Her so-called "gold standard" procedure is indeed capable of detecting the presence of celiac disease, but so what? Who wants a steel tube shoved down their throat just to make a doctor happy, unless they have a good reason for doing that procedure?

You don't need it. This is just another ploy to search for celiac disease, and as we've already discussed, even if you had it, that would be a moot point, since you're following a GF diet already, to treat MC.

Note however that selective IgA deficiency at your slightly low antibody result level means that any EnteroLab test results would also be marginal or inadequate. IOW, they might give false negative results on some foods because of your below normal IgA antibody capability. If you don't quite understand what I'm saying, or you have any additional questions, please ask me to clarify.

Since there is an increased chance that people with microscopic colitis have celiac sprue, this information is
important.

I disagree. That statement is based on not changing your diet. That's irrelevant in your case.

Tex

[Janie]

I always like to say Tex, as a retired RN, I like to say she is a Doctor who likes "churning the account." In otherwords Jeanine, procedures make money.

[Lisa_D]

Hi Jeanine,

This doesn't sounds right to me....I have an IGA deficiency and Celiac disease. When I was first getting tested, my primary care did the blood work, noticed my IGA deficiency, and looped in a GI. At that time, the GI ordered another blood test. With IGA deficiency, the blood work for Celiac is more complicated but it is possible to diagnose through a blood test (although you have to be eating gluten).

I eventually ended up getting an endoscopy to confirm, but I basically knew from the bloodwork that things were not right. This page explains the blood test a bit:

https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-dis ... eficiency/

Also, an IGA deficiency means that there's a TINY weakness in your immune system so you may be more susceptible to colds, etc. It looks like your numbers aren't too low, but you should ask your doctor if there's anything you need to watch out for.

Ultimately, it sounds like you may be on the path to healing by cutting gluten on your own with or without a celiac diagnosis. It's such a personal choice. I just wanted to share what I know. Wishing you all the best!

[Lisa_D]

Jeanine,
Just reading your posting again -- so it looks like you're at the stage of blood test #2 (which is typical if you have IGA deficiency). If it were me I would write back and tell her you don't want to do anything until you get the results of bloods test #2.

Just my 2 cents!