TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE AB, IGG | Healthmatters.io (2024)

Tissue transglutaminase has been identified as the major autoantigen in celiac disease. IgA antibodies against tTG are highly disease specific serological markers for celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. tTG IgG antibodies are less specific for these diseases but are helpful markers in patients with IgA deficiency.

A negative tTG IgG test alone does not rule out gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

Celiac disease is a life-long condition in which ingestion of gluten, the water insoluble wheat-gliadin and the prolamins in rye and barley, leads to chronic inflammation and damage of the small intestinal mucosa. Also useful in monitoring adherence to gluten-free diet in patients with IgA deficiency.

Tissue transglutaminase is an enzyme that fixes damage in your body. People with celiac disease often make antibodies that attack this enzyme. These are called anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. A blood test that shows higher levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies can help your healthcare provider figure out if you have celiac disease.

If you have celiac disease, you are allergic to gluten. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. With celiac disease, your body attacks the lining of the small bowel, making it less able to absorb nutrients. The sensitivity to gluten can also cause:

- Pain in the abdomen

- Low blood count (anemia)

- Tiredness

- Muscle and joint pain

- Gas

- Diarrhea

- Vomiting

- Weight loss

- Malnutrition

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, and other things. Your test results may be different depending on the lab used. They may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.

Keep in mind that no 1 test can say for sure that you have celiac disease. Your healthcare provider will use other things to help confirm the diagnosis.

The higher the levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in your blood, the more likely it is that you have it or a related disorder. Younger children are an exception to this rule. A test may come back negative even if the child has celiac disease. But other tests can give a correct diagnosis.

Interpretation:

TTGA and TTGG both >10 U/mL: Suggestive of Celiac disease

TTG-IgG may be used to follow patients with Celiac disease who are IgA deficient. However, TTG-IgG alone is not sufficient to diagnose Celiac Disease.

References:

Dieterich W, Ehnis T, Bauer M, et al. Identification of tissue transglutaminase as the autoantigen of celiac disease.Nat Med.1997 Jul; 3(7):797-801.PubMed 9212111

Volta U, Molinaro N, De Franchis R, et al. Correlation between IgA antiendomysial antibodies and subtotal villous atrophy in dermatitis herpetiformis.J Clin Gastroenterol.1992 Jun; 14(4):298-301.PubMed 1607605

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