My doctor said that the Anti Gliadin IGA test no longer exists. Is this true?
No, your doctor is misinformed, this test still exist.
QUOTE (Shannnn @ Dec 3 2007, 07:35 PM) 
My doctor said that the Anti Gliadin IGA test no longer exists. Is this true?
That test still exists. Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA-IgG and AGA-IgA) are less often used used to test for Celiac Disease due to a low level of accuracy in people who have not yet been diagnosed. (source: http://www.celiacdisease.net/testing) . However, the test may still be run as a part of the celiac panel.
It is very common to have the anti gliadin test run as a followup test after a period of time to ensure compliance to the gluten-free diet (source: http://www.celiacdisease.net/assets/pdf/celiac disease...lowUpTests7.pdf)
Quest Diagnostics (a blood test company) has a page on Celiac and the tests that can be ordered for it. You can print this page from website out and show your doctor that it still exists....My God, the test wasn't around years ago so why would they suddenly stop "making' it....that makes no sense at all.
I don't have their web address but sure you can google it.
I don't have their web address but sure you can google it.
QUOTE (Shannnn @ Dec 3 2007, 10:35 PM)
My doctor said that the Anti Gliadin IGA test no longer exists. Is this true?
It still exists but doctors REFUSE mostly to allow you to take it. It turns out, I was NEGATIVE on all panels EXCEPT the IGA Anti-Gliadin test (which was high). It was only because I have a great internal medicine doctor that I was given that test. My TTG was at the highest range of normal possible w/o being positive - so what does that mean? I have all the symptoms of celiac (including lactose intolerance now) but none of my tests come back positive (except that one). I am on the gluten-free diet and feel 1000% better.
I've talk to a few other doctors and people with gluten intolerance that 1/2 of the people I talk to tested NEGATIVE on their testing. I do believe the doctors don't want to use the IgA Anti-Gliadin because it is a MUCH better test to indicate even a MILDER form of intolerance that has NOT YET progressed to full celiac disease. I think very soon the doctors will be made to look like fools for this... they want a 'full-proof' test and they are NOT going to get one!
Just my 2 cents...
This is still a test which is available. It is a test that is usually sent to a reference lab such as AML, Quest...etc.