Coeliac Profile - Blood SST

Description

It is one of several blood tests that may be used to help assess for coeliac disease.  Tissue transglutaminase IgA and/or IgG test is used as part of an evaluation for certain autoimmune conditions, most notably coeliac disease.

Tissue transglutaminase is an enzyme that repairs damage in the body. People with coeliac disease often make antibodies that attack tissue transglutaminase. They are called anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies or immunoglobin A (IgA) antibodies. Therefore, a blood test that shows higher levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies can give indication of possible coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.

The immune system response in coeliac disease (a reaction against gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats) also involves the production of antibodies directed against an enzyme normally present in the intestines called tissue transglutaminase (tTG).  In celiac disease, the body produces two types of antibodies that attack tTG: immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Measuring the IgA form of tTG antibody in the blood is more useful in assessing for coeliac disease because it’s made in the small intestine where gluten causes inflammation and irritation in sensitive people.

Anti-gliadin antibodies are frequently found with anti-transglutaminase antibodies.  Anti-gliadin antibodies are produced in response to gliadin, a prolamin found in wheat.  Anti-gliadin IgA is found in approximately 80% of patients with coeliac disease. It is also found in a number of patients who are not enteropathic. Some of these patients may have neuropathies that respond favorably to a gluten elimination diet.