Do you also always feel full? Do you get strange stomach pains? Do you sometimes have problems like bloating, and other times your stomach feels dry? Although many people think that these are normal things, sometimes there may be a reason behind this that we don't think about. One such reason could be a condition called Celiac disease. So today, let's talk about what Celiac disease is and the important blood test called tTg-IgA that is used to diagnose it.
Simply put, what is Celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a long-term, chronic condition that affects our digestive system. It is very special because it is an autoimmune disorder. Imagine that your body's defense system, the immune system, mistakenly starts attacking parts of your own body. That is what happens in celiac disease. This condition occurs when you eat a food that contains a protein called gluten. Gluten is something that is found in grains like wheat and barley. Gluten is found in many things that we eat every day, such as bread, cakes, pasta, and roti. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system sees this gluten as a big enemy. So in order to attack it, unfortunately, the walls of our own small intestine are also damaged.
Remember, this is not just a gluten sensitivity or wheat intolerance. Celiac is a more serious condition. It can cause long-term digestive problems and prevent the body from absorbing nutrients properly.
Why does Celiac disease occur?
It's hard to pinpoint a single reason for this, but there are a few main factors.
- Genetics: This can be hereditary. If a close family member, such as a mother, father, or sibling, has the disease, you are at higher risk of developing it.
- Childhood dietary habits: Some research has found that children who eat a lot of gluten-rich foods at a young age may have a slightly increased risk of this condition.
- Other medical conditions: If you have other autoimmune diseases , such as Type 1 Diabetes or Thyroid Disease, you are also more likely to develop Celiac Disease.
What are the symptoms of Celiac disease?
The symptoms of celiac disease can vary from person to person. Some people experience these symptoms severely, while others do not. Let's break down the common symptoms as follows.
| Characteristic type | Description |
|---|
| Characteristics of the digestive system | |
| Other physical characteristics | - Skin rashes
- Canker sores
- Damage to tooth enamel
- Children: stunted growth, weight loss, delayed puberty, stunted growth, and mood changes.
|
These symptoms are especially noticeable in children, as they are more likely to develop as their bodies are unable to properly absorb nutrients.
How do you know for sure if you have Celiac disease?
If your doctor suspects this disease, there are several tests to confirm it.
| Test method | Simply put... |
|---|
| Medical and family history | The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has this disease. |
| Physical examination | The body is checked for symptoms such as weight loss, skin spots, and bloating. |
| Blood tests | A blood sample is taken and the blood is tested for specific antibodies related to Celiac disease. The tTg-IgA test we are talking about today is the most important one. |
| Biopsy | This involves inserting a thin tube (endoscope) with a camera attached through the mouth, taking a very small piece of tissue from the small intestine and examining it under a microscope. This can accurately assess the damage caused by celiac disease. |
| Genetic testing | A blood sample or a sample of cells taken from the inside of the cheek can be used to test whether you have the genes associated with celiac disease. |
Okay, so what is this Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTg-IgA) test?
This is
the main and most sensitive blood test for diagnosing Celiac disease. As we discussed earlier, when a person with Celiac disease eats gluten, the body's immune system starts to fight against it. To fight this battle, it produces "special soldiers" called antibodies (Antibodies or Immunoglobulins). The unfortunate thing is that these antibodies also mistakenly attack an enzyme in our own body that helps repair cells. That enzyme is called Tissue Transglutaminase. So we call these antibodies anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. The level of these anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in the blood of a person with Celiac disease is very high.
The tTg-IgA test measures the level of that antibody. Why is this tTg-IgA test so important?
This is a very accurate test.
About 98 out of 100 people with celiac disease who eat gluten-containing foods will get a positive result from this test. That's why doctors recommend doing this test first.
Before the test and how to take the test
There is
something you definitely need to remember here.
Before taking this test, you should not stop eating foods containing gluten. If you suspect you have Celiac disease and stop eating gluten on your own, the level of those antibodies in your blood may decrease. Then the test result may come out wrong (false-negative). That is, it may show that you have the disease, but do not. Therefore, do not control your diet without the advice of your doctor.
The test is very simple. 1. A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm using a lancet. 2. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory to be tested for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. 3. If the antibody level in your blood is very high, it is suspected that you may have Celiac disease. The risks of this test are not that high. You may feel a slight stinging sensation when the needle is inserted. There may also be some bruising and slight pain where the blood was drawn. Other than that, there are no major risks. However, there is one thing. Sometimes, especially in young children and people with low antibody levels, the results of this test may not be 100% accurate. That is why, depending on the results of the blood test, your doctor may need to do something like a biopsy to confirm the disease.
Take-Home Message
- Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease caused by gluten. It is not a common allergy.
- The tTg-IgA test is the main, most accurate blood test used to diagnose this disease.
- If you have symptoms of Celiac disease, have a family history of it, or have other risk factors like diabetes, talk to your doctor about this.
- Most importantly: Do not stop eating gluten-containing foods before taking a celiac test without medical advice. Doing so may cause inaccurate test results.
- It is very important to discuss any test results with your doctor to fully understand them.
Celiac disease, tTg-IgA test, gluten, autoimmune diseases, stomach problems, blood tests, digestive system
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