TG6 antibody testing should only be requested in patients with clinical symptoms of ataxia.
Tissue transglutaminase 6 (TG6) is expressed in a subset of neurons. The presence of TG6 antibodies has been described in patients with gluten ataxia and gluten neuropathy (1,2,3). Gluten ataxia usually presents with gait and lower limb ataxia. It has a mean age of onset of 53 years (4). Many patients also have evidence of enteropathy on duodenal biopsy. Originally IgA and IgG anti-gliadin antibodies were used to help in the investigation of the conditions. The discovery of TG6 antibodies has provided another marker which can be used to aid in diagnosis.
Care should be taken when interpreting results as TG6 antibodies may also be present in other conditions and in healthy patients (5%) (1,2,3).
Compliance with a gluten free diet can significantly reduced the level of TG6 antibodies and clinical symptoms (1).
False negative results may be obtained in patients that are IgA deficient. It is recommended that IgA/IgG gliadin antibodies and IgA Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) antibodies are tested alongside TG6 antibodies. IgA deficiency may be identified when these tests are performed.
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Serum Blood
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Additional Information
Gluten associated ataxia.
The tests should only be requested in patients with symptoms of ataxia.
Turn around
Refer to relevant laboratory for up to date turnaround times, allowing an additional 10 working days for samples processing, dispatch and reporting and validation of the results.
Send to
Samples should be sent to the department of Clinical Immunology at LGI who will refer to appropriate referral lab.
Contact and advice
Ref. Range Notes
See reference range on referral website.