Tiglylglycine is a marker for mitochondrial dysfunction. Mutations of mitochondria DNA may result from exposure to toxic chemicals, infections, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies.

SOURCES:

Found in manufacturing, food, packaging, solder, bronzing, dyeing textiles, plastics, PVC pipes, fungicides, toothpaste, perfume, soap, food additives, electronic, cigarette aerosol, and dyes. Naturally present and rocks and nearby air, water, and soil. Seafood is the primary route of human exposure to tin compounds. Tin is found in both organic and inorganic forms. Inorganic tin is generally regarded as safe by the FDA as a food additive for human consumption.

Nutrient interactions:

Tin disturbs copper, zinc, and iron metabolism.

SOURCES:

Found in manufacturing, food, packaging, solder, bronzing, dyeing textiles, plastics, PVC pipes, fungicides, toothpaste, perfume, soap, food additives, electronic, cigarette aerosol, and dyes. Naturally present and rocks and nearby air, water, and soil. Seafood is the primary route of human exposure to tin compounds. Tin is found in both organic and inorganic forms. Inorganic tin is generally regarded as safe by the FDA as a food additive for human consumption.

Nutrient interactions:

Tin disturbs copper, zinc, and iron metabolism.

Hair Tin (Sn) levels have been found to correlate with environmental exposure. Depending on chemical form, Sn is a potentially toxic element. Inorganic Sn has a low degree of toxicity, while organic Sn has appreciable toxicity. Inorganic Sn is used as flame-proofing treatment in textiles, as a wood preservative, and has various uses in the glass industry. Sn is also used in tin plate electrolysis for Sn alloy coatings.

Urinary tin (Sn) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. Sn has no known physiological function in the body. Inorganic Sn has a low potential for toxicity, while organic Sn may have appreciable toxic effects.

Metallic Sn and inorganic Sn compounds are normally found in small amounts in soil, food and air. Exposure to Sn compounds may be much higher in close proximity to hazardous waste sites. Inorganic Sn is poorly absorbed from the gut. The main source of Sn is food. Canned tomatoes, tomato products, pineapple, pears and similar fruits contain the highest concentrations of Sn. The Sn concentrations of food increase with storage in opened cans.

Sources of exposure:

Toothpastes, perfumes, soaps, food additives and dyes, plastics, food packages, plastic pipes, pesticides, paints, and pest repellents; air, water, and soil near places where naturally present in rocks.

Health Effects:

Stomach ache, anemia, liver and kidney problems, reproduction, skin and eye irritation, affects brain and nervous system

A tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA and/or IgG test is used as part of an evaluation for certain autoimmune conditions, most notably celiac disease.

An autoimmune disease can occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly perceives a nonthreatening substance. In the case of people with celiac disease, gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats) is seen as a foreign invader and is attacked by the immune system. This immune system response in celiac disease also involves the production of antibodies directed against an enzyme normally present in the intestines called tissue transglutaminase (tTG).

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.

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.

Titanium (Ti) is measured in hair to assist in the identification of external contamination of hair by treatments and products. Shampoos, dyes, and “highlighting” are the primary sources of Ti, which binds tenaciously to hair. Ti dioxide is the most common form of Ti used as a whitening agent (toothpaste, conditioners, shampoos, etc.).