Testing for Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease

There is laboratory testing available to measure the amount of antibodies to gluten that you make and there are several different companies that offer testing. However, most of them offer limited panels that include antibodies to just gliadin and/or gluten. There is more to the picture than these two isolated antibodies though. In my practice, I utilize a panel that measures 24 different markers from a blood sample. It is a much more comprehensive panel that is less likely to give a false negative. However, in order for any of these tests to be accurate, one must be currently consuming gluten. Any type of test for gluten sensitivity can give false negatives for those that are not eating gluten at the time that the testing is performed.

For children, I recommend this same panel. However, for those that prefer not to have blood drawn, there is a salivary test (salivary gliadin IgA) that has been shown to be very accurate in screening for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity as well. I offer this panel in my office as well.

There is no blood test or salivary test at this time to diagnose celiac disease. Diagnosing Celiac Disease requires a biopsy of the cells in the small intestine. A genetic test can determine if Celiac Disease is a possibility, as one must have the genes to have it. So I do recommend to have this test done prior to having a biopsy done. However, if the genetic test comes back positive, it does not diagnose Celiac Disease. It just indicates that it is a possibility to have the onset of Celiac Disease at any time in that person’s life and gluten exposure could be a trigger for onset. The test that measures 24 markers, listed in the first paragraph, can be used as a screening for Celiac Disease. However, if it comes back negative, it does not rule it out. The only way to accurately test for celiac is to have a biopsy done and one must be consuming gluten at the time the testing is done or that test can give a false negative as well.

I order testing for gluten sensitivity and screening for celiac disease and work with individuals on healing the gastrointestinal lining and improving digestive function often. Please feel free to contact me for more information or to order a test if you are interested. I offer a complimentary 10 minute consultation to answer any questions you may have regarding my services and how they may be beneficial for your health concerns as well.