Testing for Celiac Disease is EASY!
There are two tests that health care professionals mainly use when diagnosing celiac disease: serologic tests and intestinal biopsies. Typically, most health care providers begin with a serologic test and then move on to an intestinal biopsy. Celiac disease has over 250 symptoms so the only way to diagnose the disease is through laboratory testing. At My Labs Direct, we allow you to bypass the hassle of waiting for an appointment with your physician. You can purchase our At-Home Celiac Disease Test and get the answers you need fast, from the comfort of your own home.
What are the early warning signs of celiac disease:
The signs and symptoms of celiac disease can vary greatly. The most common digestive signs and symptoms include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
Surprisingly, more than half the adults with celiac disease have non-GI related symptoms. The presentation of the following symptoms may make diagnosis difficult as most assume celiac disease is specifically correlated to GI upset. However, the following symptoms are also caused by celiac disease:
- Anemia, usually from iron deficiency
- Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) or softening of bone (osteomalacia)
- Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis) usually occurring on the elbow, knees, torso, scalp and buttocks
- Mouth ulcers
- Headaches and fatigue
- Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment
- Joint pain
- Reduced functioning of the spleen (hyposplenism)
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it might be time to order an At Home Celiac Disease test. Let this at home test help you rule out, or rule in, celiac disease. From there, you can work with your healthcare provider to create a plan of action to take control of your health. Testing at home is easy, convenient and non-invasive.
Serologic Tests- Blood tests measuring antibodies
Serologic tests for celiac disease include:
- Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) and tTG immunoglobulin G (IgG) tests
- Endomysial antibody (EMA) -IgA test
- Deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) -IgA and DGP-IgG tests
These tests are looking for anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA), the presence of which would suggest a person has celiac disease. According to Johns Hopkins “Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly thinks that gluten –a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and oats– is a foreign invader. Gliadin is a portion of the protein found in gluten. The immune system of someone who’s sensitive to gliadin produces anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) to attack the protein. The antibodies are divided into two groups, immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG).”
When undergoing testing to diagnose celiac disease, it is important to be on a diet that includes gluten, otherwise your body isn’t given the opportunity to produce AGA and there would be nothing to measure.
Our At-Home Celiac Disease Test measures both IgG and IgA. IgA is more specific to celiac disease than IgG, as it is produced in the small intestine where the sensitivity occurs. Pairing IgA testing with IgG is important since some people have selective IgA deficiency, and IgA testing alone could present a false negative.
According to the National Institute of Health, “Although only 1 in 400 to 1 in 800 people in the general population have IgA deficiency, 2% to 3% of people with celiac disease have IgA deficiency.1 In patients with IgA deficiency, IgA-based tests—such as tTG-IgA—may not accurately detect celiac disease, and IgG-based tests can help with diagnosis.”
It’s important to know that there is no cure for celiac disease, however, by following a strict, gluten-free diet, most people can manage their symptoms and promote intestinal healing.
References
[1] Rubio-Tapia A, Hill ID, Kelly CP, Calderwood AH, Murray JA; American College of Gastroenterology. ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;108(5):656–677. doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.79
