Celiac Disease & Gluten Intolerance Testing

You need testing for Celiac disease or Gluten Sensitivity, where do you go?  You have two choices, your doctor or a lab like Walk-In Lab may be more be convenient and less expensive.  I have used this lab on several occasions for food allergy testing and vitamin deficiency testing.  They are reliable, quick and I recommend them.

Celiac Testing labs you want to run:

The full celiac panel is:
tTG IgA and tTG IgG
DGP IgA and DGP IgG
EMA IgA 
Total serum IgA
AGA IgA and AGA IgG (older and less reliable tests)

*Blood tests for gluten autoantibodies (These are IgA based tests accurate only while on a gluten containing diet)

• EMA – anti-endomysial
• TTG – anti-tissue transglutaminase
• DGP – Deamidated Gliadin Peptide

*A small bowel biopsy to assess gut damage. For those with suspected dermatitis herpetiformis, skin biopsies will be taken of the health skin near the lesion.

• Make sure you are eating gluten until testing is done,
• Many celiacs are low in some nutrients such as calcium, iron, ferritin, potassium, zinc, A, D, B12, and copper.
• Bone density can be an issue and should be checked.
• Thyroiditis as symptoms similar to celiac disease, as well as being associated with celiac disease. Getting checked for hypothyroidism is often helpful.
•  Essential Mineral Deficiency Testing
• Gluten Intolerance Testing

 

Allergy Tests

More times than not, if gluten is a problem, there might be other foods that are bothersome as well, like dairy, soy or eggs. 

Lactose Intolerance Testing is important and can be an issue according to the Celiac Support Association, “Lactose Intolerance is a condition that is common in those with celiac disease. Lactase is produced in the tips of the villi. If lactase is not present to facilitate digestion of the milk sugar, lactose, the body reacts with symptoms such as bloating, gas and/or diarrhea. A simple test for lactose intolerance can be administered during a routine physician visit.”

Checking for allergies or other intolerances is essential because you do not want to overlook any possibilities that could keep you from feeling better.

You may think that all you have to do is start eating gluten free and all your health problems will start to dissipate, more times than not that isn’t true.  There generally will be several factors creating your health issues, so getting to the root of the problem is essential.

Have your doctor or a lab (can be less expensive if not insured) run a vitamin deficiency test. If your gut has been compromised then there is a good chance you have not been absorbing vitamins. This can cause a slew of problems such as anemia, headaches, fatigue, irritability, digestive problems, hair loss, depression, suppressed immune system and much more.  It is essential after diagnosis to start healing the body as quickly as possible. 

 

References:

• CSA – Celiac Support Association
• Celiac.com