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lisa15601
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Please Interpret

Post by lisa15601 »

Tests: (1) Tissue Transglutaminase antibody IGA (TTGA)
TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE ANTIBO

"Result below..."

Result: <3

What does this mean?



AND

Tests: (1) IGA (IGA)

IGA 271 MG/DL
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tex
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Post by tex »

Not knowing the reference range limits, this is strictly a guess, but if the ranges are those normally used, then the first test result says that you are not experiencing a TTG-type autoimmune reaction, and the second result shows that you are capable of generating normal levels of IgA atibodies. IOW, this second test shows that you are not IgA deficient, which verifies that the first test result is valid. The overall result is compelling evidence that you are not experiencing an autoimmune reaction.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by lisa15601 »

<3 means negative.

Someone also mentioned to me that they uses these test to test for Celiac and Gluten is that true?
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Post by Joefnh »

From Wikipedia...

Anti-transglutaminase antibodies (ATA) are antibodies against the transglutaminase protein. As mentioned in the article on antibodies, antibodies occur in nature as part of the immune system of animals, including humans. Antibodies can also be manufactured using biotechnology. Manufactured antibodies are used in biomedical research, and in medicine, as diagnostic reagents and as drugs. Most of this article is focused on anti-transglutaminase antibodies (called "ATA" for short) and their role in human auto-immune diseases.

High levels (titers) of ATA are found in almost all instances of coeliac disease.[1] Given the association of ATA with coeliac disease, and the prevalence of the latter, it is estimated that ~1% of the population have potentially pathogenic levels of ATA.



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lisa15601
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Post by lisa15601 »

WHew....these things can be confusing. So basically, I don't have Celiac disease, which is good. Can my doc test me for gluten, so maybe my insurance can pay for it>?
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tex
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Post by tex »

Lisa,

"<3" means less than 3. Assuming that is a blood test, yes, that should be a negative result for celiac disease.

The first test you mentioned is used as a screening test for celiac disease, and the second test is used to make sure that you are not IgA deficient, because if you are one of the approximately 1 in 700 who are IgA deficient, then the first test result would automatically be negative, (and therefore invalid), because you would be incapable of producing enough IgA antibodies to result in a positive test response.

Your doctor can test you for celiac disease, but not for gluten-sensitivity. The available blood tests are not sensitive enough to detect gluten-sensitivity except in the case of fully-developed celiac disease, which can take several years of symptoms before the disease matures to the point where the test results will turn positive. The problem is that the type of gluten-sensitivity that those of us with MC have, is not detected by the classic celiac blood tests. The antibodies are in the intestines, and they're not numerous enough in the bloodstream for the existing tests to detect them. The only reliable tests for detecting gluten-sensitivity prior to a fully-developed stage of celiac disease, is the stool tests offered by Enterolab. Some insurance companies will pay for them, especially if your doctor orders them, but many doctors have been stung in the past by other stool tests which proved to be worthless, so many of them are reluctant to accept that the Enterolab tests are valid, despite the fact that the lab is fully accredited by the state of Texas, and the owner, (Dr. Fine), has no complaints filed against him by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. (Public viewing of actions taken by state boards of medical examiners are available online.) If you would like to see the results of other members who have had some of these tests, you can view them here:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10089

Even if your doctor refuses to order the tests, some insurance companies will pay for the tests, anyway. You can get the appropriate claim numbers from the lab, and then call your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you for the tests.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by Martha »

Lisa, my insurance company wanted both the procedure codes and the diagnosis codes, so if you call Enterolab to get the codes, be sure to get both, in case your insurance wants them. In my case, my insurance said the tests were "standardly covered." I haven't been able to do the Enterolab testing yet (my fish oil intake was too high, so I have to be off it for a while), so I haven't submitted the bill to my insurance company yet to see if they actually will cover it. Here's hoping! It's definitely worth checking with your insurance, though.

Love,
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