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Tissue Transglutaminase IgG Ab is in the "Indeterminate" range.

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Posted 9/26/2015 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I'm perplexed. My IgA is normal, but my Tissue Transglutaminase IgG Ab, is 23.7. The ranges are: 0-19 is Negative, 20-25 is Indeterminate and 25> is Positive. My doctor said he needs to look into it, because he was under the impression that they don't use the IgG anymore, because its ultra sensitive, too many false positives. I also don't have any symptoms.

What is your opinion?

Thanks. smurf

Post Edited (Swing Out Sister) : 9/27/2015 5:59:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/1/2015 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
What was your TTG IGA result? I would ask for the rest of celiac blood panel just to be sure. Here is the complete one:


-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA and (tTG) IgG
-Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and (DGP) IgG
-EMA IgA
-total serum IgA and IgG (control test)
-AGA IGA and AGA IgG - older and less reliable tests largely replace by the DGP tests

-endoscopic biopsy - make sure at least 6 samples are taken

I tested positive to ONLY the DGP iga yet I had a Marsh Stage IIIB biopsy (severe to moderate damage). The TTG catches many but not all celiacs.


Welcome to the forum and let us know how it goes!

Post Edited (cyclinglady) : 9/30/2015 10:33:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/2/2015 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Cyclinglady. Here is the full report:

Gliadin Peptide IgA Antibody: 7.4 EU/ml. Range, 0-19

Gliadin Peptide IgG Antibody: 8.4EU/ml. Range, 0-19

Immunoglobulin A: 172 Mg/dl. Range, 70-400

Tissue Transglutaminase 7.0 EU/ml. Range, 0-19
IgA Ab

Tissue Transglutaminase. 23.7EU/ml. H. 0-19, 19 or less is Negative
IgG Ab
20-25 is Indeterminate

>25 is Positive

Well, that's all of it. I hope this is helpful. Thanks again for replying.
Posted 10/2/2015 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
That is an odd result. It could mean that might be developing CD or it is a lab error. You could get retested in six months. What are your symptoms and what led you to get tested? Were you consuming gluten daily 8 to 12 weeks prior to the blood test?
Posted 10/3/2015 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cyclinglady,

I have never had any symptoms. I began seeing a Chiropractor who practices Functional Medicine and Nutrition, last August. The reason I went to him is because I had been experiencing soreness/stiffness in my lower back, pelvis, knees, hands and feet. I had a hysterectomy in 2011. I also have Osteoporosis (since 2002). When I saw my gynocologist in 2012, she said that 9 1/2 years is too long to be on Fosamax. The family doctor who prescribed it, never told me that I couldn't be on it, more than 5 years. I was devastated, because I knew I needed to stop taking it, but was fearful to start the Prolia Injections. So, between May 2012 and October 2013, I wasn't on any medication. In that time period, symptoms began to develop. For example, I was having trouble standing up, from the toilet bowl, my knees were weak and hurt, my neck would grind, when I would turn my head, and I would have soreness/stiffness in my lower back, pelvis, knees, calves, hands and feet. about two months after starting the Prolia, I was left with the soreness/stiffness in all the above mentioned areas. I have had these issues, ever since.

I went to the Functional doctor for help, because I didn't know what had happened. I now suspect that my osteoarthritis got worse, along with my bone density, during the time frame when I wasn't on any medications. Now, some of the symptoms vanished, but some of the stayed. I guess the ones that stayed were more related to arthritis, than bone density. I have been suffering with this for 3 1/2 years, now.

The doctor had me go for blood work. My A1C was 5.8 and my cholesterol was a tick high. As a result of that, he decided that my estrogen deficiency was the cause and he needed to put me on an insulin resistant diet/gluten-free. The reason for the gluten-free part, is because he also did a saliva test, which showed that I have an alpha gliadin sensitivity. (Still not sure about that) The borderline range was 13-15 and I'm a 13. It's a year later now, I don't see him anymore, because I believe he made a mistake with the insulin resistant diet and the gluten diet. I had tingling in my hands and feet, two months after he put me on that diet. He took all the squashes away, except for Zucchini and all legumes. He also said no tomatoes and obviously, no pasta. He was cutting out as much carbs/sweet things, as he could. I was a mess. I had to go to another doctor for supplementation, to correct everything he did. No more tingling in the hands and feet, now. Thank goodness. But he never helped me out, with the issues that I originally saw him for. Crazy, huh??!!

I began re-eating the gluten items on 9/8/15 and had the celiac blood work done on 9/18/15. My Rheumatologist said that was enough time to wait, to go for the blood work. I'm guessing, she was incorrect about that?? I'm seeing my Gastroenterologist in November. It was difficult to get an appointment with him. I will bring the saliva test results and the blood work results, to him. He will laugh about the saliva test results, because he will say it isn't acceptable to the way medicine is practiced. I think he will give me a scrip for the same Celiacs Comprehensive Panel (I believe that's what it's called), and take it from there.

I do believe that I shouldn't have been placed on that diet, in the first place. I decided, though, that since I hadn't had a blood test, it was time to get one. I really don't know that the efficacy of saliva tests, is that great.

What do you think about all of this???

Thanks again.
Posted 10/12/2015 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I got my Cortisol and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone blood work results. The Cortisol is 12.2, which is fine and the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone is 14, the range is 6-58. I am very glad to know that these tests came back, normal. I was very worried about it.

I'm seeing my Rheumatologist on Thursday, for my Prolia Injection. I will ask her for another Celiac Disease scrip. Hopefully, the IgG AB won't come back "Indeterminate", again. I want to take the results to my Gastroenterologist, in November. I've been eating gluten since September 8th. and I haven't noticed any problems. I think I may be fine, but I want to be sure, so I'll take the test again.

I hope everyone is well.
Posted 10/13/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Ah, experts recommend consuming gluten for 8 to 12 weeks prior to a celiac blood panel. I assumed you were still eating gluten. Don't take my word for it. Go to the University of Chicago's celiac website or goggle the "American GI organization celiac disease diagnosis" for more information. None of your doctors seem to celiac savvy. You might want wait for that GI visit until you have consumed enough gluten.

Celiac disease may be the source of your osteoporosis. I have already suffered a few fractures from undiagnosed celiac disease. I am holding my own since being gluten free for over two years per my recent bone scan and I take no meds.

I hope this helps!
Posted 10/14/2015 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Cycling Lady. I think I will wait for my appointment with the gastroenterologist. Colon Cancer runs on my Mothers side, so Ive been having colonoscopys since 2000. So far, Ive never had any polyps. My next one isn't due until Summer 2016.

I will bring the test results with me and ask if the test can be repeated. You're correct, though, none of these doctors no what they're doing. I truly believe that I don't have a gluten issue. My Osteoporosis is genetic. I was diagnosed in 2002, two months before my 37th. Birthday. I was put on Foasamax in January of 2003, and remained on it until May 2012! No one told me that I had to come off of it, after 5 years. So, nearly 9 1/2 years later, my gynocologist told me to stop it, and switch to Prolia. I was so upset, because my numbers had improved from. Osteoporosis to Osteopenia. I was terrified about switching to Prolia. So, 14 months sent by on no medications. My numbers tanked back to Osteoporosis and I was in a lot of discomfort. My neck grinded, I had difficulty getting up from the toilet, lower back issues, SI Joint arthritis and the list goes on...

I broke down and gave in to taking the Prolia. Two months after my first injection, in October 2013, I noticed that the neck stopped hurting and I could get up from the toilet. All the other problems remained. I also had stiff calves which keep me from sleeping. I developed a pararhesia after my functional medicine doctor put me on a gluten free diet, because he believed I had a gluten sensitivity. That diet did more harm than good. I had to see another doctor, for supplements, to correct the parasthesia in the hands, feet and calves. That was corrected over the summer. The paresthesia returned, a few days ago. I never had any gluten symptoms. In fact, the diet was the killer for me. I was on it for a year. I decided to start eating the gluten again, on 9/8, to be tested, properly. The other doctor did a saliva test and it showed a borderline sensitivity to the Alpha Gliadin protein. The range was 13-15 and I scored a 13. I never had a blood test, until now.

I'm having a lot of menopause issues, which I believe is the cause of all of my problems. I had to increase my patch dose from .025 to. 05. Because I wasn't noticing any relief from hot flashes. I just applied the first patch of the. 05 dose, on Monday. So far, its the same as the dose below it. I get relief from hot flashes during the day, but not at night. I'm still suffering with stiffness in my calves and soreness in my pelvis and lower back. All of these issues keep me from sleeping. I feel like a zombie!

I really need help and ive been to several doctors and have gotten no help. I'm running out of ideas, at this point. I'm also losing faith that I will get better. This has been going on since November 2012, I cant take it anymore!

Ive tried rubbing magnesium gel on the areas that get stiff and sore at night, it doesn't work, warm baths don't work either. Its a combination of the chemical change in my body, after hysterectomy in December 2011 and stopping my medications in May 2012. I haven't been able to recuperate. I lost ground that I don't think I can get back. I only had a 3% improvement in my bone density, since I began the Prolia in October 2013. I'm due for my 5th. Injection on Thursday and other than holding my numbers in place, I don't see the point of taking it. I am fearful that if I stop it, the same thing will happen with my numbers ranking. The problem with that, is that I'm already in Osteoporosis, I have no wiggle room. I cant afford any drops in my numbers. I think medications like Fosamax and Prolia, put up a coating, over the bones. Once you remove the coating, you start losing bone density again.

I'm in a very bad place right now, and have no options. Sorry to say all of this, but I'm really frustrated.

Thanks again.
Posted 11/17/2015 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. Just wanted to leave an update. I had the second Celiac Panel test, last Wednesday. The IgG AB came out in the "Indeterminate" range again. It was 23.5, the last one was 23.7 and the "Indeterminate" range is 20-25.

My doctor said that the only way to say for sure that I have a gluten problem, is for me to have an endoscopy test. I have no symptoms, which, according to him, doesn't mean that I don't have a problem. Although, he doesn't really believe that I do have a problem. So, I scheduled the test for the day before Thanksgiving. It was that or wait until February. I don't want to be left hanging that long.

I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything is fine.

I hope everyone is well.
Posted 12/2/2015 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to give all of you closure on my issues. I had two blood tests for Celiacs. The IgG AB was in the "Indeterminate" range, both times. My doctor suggested an Endoscopy, to put the matter to rest, one way or the other. I went for the Endoscopy the day before Thanksgiving. My doctor called me yesterday and told me that I don't have Celiacs Disease. I am happy about that.

I still find it odd that the blood test came out the way it did. The IgG was 23.7 the first time and 23.5, the second time. My chiropractor said that I can have a very miminal sensitivity to gluten.

In May, I had a brain MRI and it showed very small white matter lesions. Ive asked the Neurologist if sleep deprivation or gluten, can cause these lesions. He said that I have them, because many people get them as they age. I'm not sure whether to think that's the case or that I have them due to another reason. I guess I'm worried because I may not have Celiacs, but could the gluten be damaging my brain? Although, strangely enough, I had that MRI done about 8 months into my gluten free diet. I haven't been sleeping due to a pelvic obliquity, which has created adhesions on the soft tissue of the lumbar spine. I'm 3 weeks into PT and my chiropractor says that ive improved. Althiugh, I still have pain in the lumbar region and I'm still not sleeping. Ive made an appointment for a massage on Friday. My chiropractor added a massage therapist to his practice. He said that it would be ok, if I had a massage. I booked it for an hour, I just hope it helps. I really need to start sleeping again.

Thanks for reading...
Posted 12/4/2015 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
What does your Ortho doctor say about your chiro visits. I personally sustained vertabrae fractures doing NOTHING! I would not let a chiro touch me now. Just my two cents.

What exercise do you do? I do some sort of weight bearing exercise six days a week. That and HRT helped with my osteoporosis caused from celiac disease.

CD can manifest in the gut, skin (DH) or brain. The last is still new and most doctors are not aware of it. I would suggest more research Because what matter on the brain is one of the symptoms.

There must be a reason why you continue to have an elevated DPG test. You can forget the saliva test -- bogus per all leading CD experts. Not responding to a GF diet. I bet you really were not gluten free. There is a steep learning curve. Cross contaminatin is huge. I never eat out. Been glutened one too many times. Subbing junk food for GF food is another issue too.

The sleeping? Menopause is....well, I can not say anything nice about it. It should get better on HRT. Not completely, but better.
I had trouble sleeping because of hip and rib pain not to mention sever night sweats. Resolved when I built bone after going GF so that I was able to absorb nutrients that help build bone.

Good luck to you.
Posted 12/4/2015 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I am not trying to push a CD diagnosis. I am trying to help you be a better advocate for your health. No cares about you really, except for you (maybe you immediate family). So do not give up trying to get well.
Posted 12/6/2015 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
My orthopedist never says anything one way or another, about my chiro visits. I have a long history with chiropractors, ever since I smacked into a rock, broadside, when I was traveling down a river in a tube, in 1988. I was 22, at the time. I went to a park in Upstate NY with a friend and her boyfriend. I crawled out of the water in such pain. I had to lie across the backseat of the car, on the way home. My mother flipper out, when she saw me. She immediately took me to her chiropractor. I had to go 3 times a week, for 6 months, until I was better. I slightly herniated the L4/5 disc. Ive had to revisit different chiropractors, over the years, here and there.

I did ask the Neurologist if he thought my white matter lesions are caused by gluten. He said he believed it was due to aging. He said I had a very good brain. He also told me to stop worrying about all of this, because its stressful and will make matters worse. I don't know what to think. I don't want to wind up with dementia, but I also don't want to seem like I'm obsessing over things. I will be seeing him again, in June, for an exam. He said that another MRI would not be necessary, at that time. I know that while I was on the gluten-free diet, I didn't feel any better. My T-Score is holding in place, on Prolia. I have -2.3 in the spine, -2.4 in the hip and -2.5, in the femoral neck. I only had a 3% improvement in my numbers, after the first year on Prolia. That was 2014. I often wonder why I got this at age 36?? My mom has it, but she didn't get it when she was young. Now I'm 49 and I feel awful. I exercise 5 days a week. I do exercise DVDs. I also do exercises for the QL muscles and the SI Joints.

PT has been a disappointment. Ive been there 3 weeks and haven't seen much improvement. Sleep still eludes me. In my case, its due to the QL pain caused by the pelvic obliquity.

Youre correct in that we are our own advocates. I try every day, to make sure I'm being smart about my healthcare. I had a massage on Friday. I felt good afterwards. By the time I went to bed, I felt awful. I tossed and turned, and felt like I had gotten no sleep, last night.

I want this pattern to stop. I'm going to look into trigger point massage. There's a wellness center nearby. I will call to ask if I can make an appointment for a trigger point masssge. They do about 5 minutes of that in PT, and it isn't
enough. I think I could benefit from more of that, though.

Should I ask the Neurologist to repeat the Brain MRI, in June? I was very good about sticking to a gluten-free diet. I didn't eat out, much, so I don't think there was much cross-contamination going on. The IgG AB was 23.7. My 19 year old Biochemistry/Molecular Biology major, claims that its statistical spill over. He isn't convinced that I have a gluten sensitivity. Do I need to take this up with an allergist? I. Don't know who to see about the brain issue and where gluten may play a role in my white matter lesions.

I agree that not enough is known about gluten and white matter lesions. Following the GF diet is the only solution. Although, when I was on it for nearly a year, I didn't find it easy and I didn't find that restaurant staff were at all knowledgeable about cross-contamination. Gluten is everywhere. It blows off the crops onto other nearby crops, rendering them no longer GF. Its very annoying. I realky don't know where I stand in all of this. All I know is, these back issues are getting me down.

I will continue with PT. Hopefully , i can get the trigger point therapy, soon.

Take care.
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