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Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody (IgG)

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6163, Beaker: XTTGG, Warde: TTGG

Department

Special Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube.

Also acceptable: One Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Plasma specimens.
• Severely hemolyzed or lipemic specimens. 

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8  hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 48 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 14 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Special Chemistry Laboratory Royal Oak

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 4-5 days

Reference Range

Negative:  < 15 U/mL
Equivocal:  NA
Positive:  ≥ 15 U/mL

Test Methodology

Multiplex Flow Assay.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Tissue transglutaminase antibodies appear to be highly specific for celiac disease and are useful to screen high-risk populations (e.g. first degree relatives of celiac patients, insulin dependent diabetics, etc.) for celiac disease. However, histologic confirmation is required for diagnosis. Patients should not begin a gluten-free diet until after intestinal biopsy has been performed and the diagnosis is established. Serial tissue transglutaminase antibody testing may at times be useful to monitor dietary compliance.

CPT Codes

83516

Contacts

Last Updated

3/14/2024