 |
The wheat-free/gluten-free diet may be your key to better health. But it's important to consider proper testing so you know for sure. * For more detailed information on testing, see "Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Living."
If you have symptoms of gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it's important to undergo testing before embarking upon the diet. You must be eating gluten in order for tests to be accurate - if you eliminate wheat/gluten from your diet prior to testing, the results will indicate that you do not have an intolerance, when in fact you might.
Blood: The blood test for celiac disease is looking for the following :
AGA (antigliadin) IgA
AGA (antigliadin) IgG
EMA (antiendomysial)
tTG (anti-tissue transglutaminase)
Total serum IgA
Genetics testing - DQ2, DQ8
Any doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, and other health care professionals can order these tests, but the lab that actually does the test is crucial. Make sure your lab is familiar with - and preferably specializes in - celiac disease. If they don't, there is a greater likelihood of false negatives.
If your antibody screening is positive, you should undergo an intestinal biopsy (via endoscopy) to confirm the diagnosis.
Stool: The stool test is a specific test for gluten sensitivity. Because the antibodies are produced in the intestine, these tests are also extremely sensitive in detecting certain antibodies. These tests can be ordered by phone or internet and done at home (you then mail the sample to the lab), and as such, are simple and non-invasive. The stool test can also be used to determine the presence of a genetic predisposition for celiac disease.
Saliva: Most saliva tests do not look for the specific celiac disease antibodies (EMA and tTG), but do look at AGA (IgA and IgG). They are therefore most helpful in determining gluten sensitivity/intolerance, and not celiac disease.
What if your tests are negative?
If your tests are negative, don't celebrate with a Domino's pizza just yet. Some people test negative on the celiac panel, but are still sensitive to gluten. Others test negative at one point in their lives, but go on to develop gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. If your AGA IgA and/or IgG are positive, but your EMA and tTG are negative, it may be because you're sensitive to gluten, but haven't (yet?) developed "full-blown" celiac disease.
Is it okay to skip the testing?
For some people, going back to gluten just isn't an option. Others simply want to try the diet to see if they notice a difference - without being tested. Because the gluten-free diet is nutritious and delicious, these options are okay - as long as you realize a few things.
1. If you have celiac disease, it's important to know it. It's a genetic condition, and is an autoimmune disease that can result in serious complications and associated conditions. Cheating is not an option. That's why proper testing is essential.
2. Without a proper diagnosis, you're more likely to cheat. Somewhere down the road, no matter how great you feel on the gluten-free diet, you're going to be more likely to sneak a Krispy Kreme donut if you were never properly diagnosed.
3. While you may notice improvement on the gluten-free diet, you may have other conditions that are being overlooked if you skip the testing.
|
|
Celiac Disease Testing
