Diagnosed w/IBS- Bloods show low IGA levels

[joelcoqui]

At age 53, I have had extensive tests for the last 6 years that confirms IBS. Year after year my symptoms and frequency of attacks change. 6 years ago I had a parasite and had to take an antibiotic called Flagyl. It was horrible for me....painful, crampy diarreah....same as my usual symptoms but worse. Anyway, from moment I finished the med, my IBS had started for me. Last week a new gastro doctor (that was chosen as one of NYs best doctors) took some blood and found that I have a low IGA or a low immunoglobin A level. He said that could mean an infection or a parasite return? WHAT? Could that be true. He is trying to decide if I should get another colonoscopy (had one 3.5 years ago) or put me on the Flagyl again. Im afraid my IBS will get worse. What else could this low IGA mean?  Anyone?  Help.  Thank you.

[patient915]

Did you eliminate 100% of all gluten from your diet for at least 2 months?

[joelcoqui]

Anything more you can add? No celiac.

[joelcoqui]

Thank you so much for your input..

[joelcoqui]

Yes. I was tested by stools last year and last month for the giardia as well as celiac. I have been taking a probiotic but its time to switch the bacteria because I still get D occasionally. My Celiac Disease Panel t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA was <2. Its not out of range. and the Endomysial Antibody IgA is Negative and that IgA is <2. Like I said, the only thing out of range is my NEUTROPHILS which is 76. 40-74 is the in range reference..

[patient915]

There is still a chance that you could have celiac disease, even if all the blood tests are negative (the blood tests aren't very accurate).  You actually do have celiac symptoms.  You can't conclude whether or not you have celiac by whether bread helps or hurts because you have to eliminate 100% of all gluten for a long time (like 2 months) so that it is fully out of your system to figure out whether you have a gluten intolerance.  How low was your IGA?  Have you started taking a probiotic?  Have you been retested for giardia?

[joelcoqui]

Yes but all of them the anti tTg,   EMA,  -lgA,   IgM  I do not have celiac symptoms. I can eat plenty of bread with no effect. In fact I must eat it before a meal to be good. I just looked at the blood work all is totally negatie except the neutrophils is slightly high.. That could mean anything, stress, an infection or even the return of giardasis after 5 years.

[patient915]

You probably had the blood test for celiac.  This is often incorrect.  The best test for celiac is a biopsy during an endoscopy.  H pylori is tested for during an endoscopy or in a breath test.

[joelcoqui]

Dr. also mention wanting to do an endoscopy for H.pylori. Isnt that detected by bloodwork?

[joelcoqui]

Stools negative. What other tests do you suggest?. He said I was already tested for celiac and UC. Thanks

[patient915]

Low IGA sometimes means you have an immune deficiency.  More testing should be done to investigate this.  How low was it?  I don't think you need another colonoscopy and I don't think you need to take flagyl, unless a stool sample confirms an infection/parasite.  I would recommend you start taking a probiotic.