Celiac Disease Blood Test - More Information

The celiac disease test, sometimes known as a celiac panel, celiac lab test, celiac test or celiac sprue test, checks for blood antibodies related to celiac disease. This celiac disease blood test is composed of the gliadin test, tTG IgA test and the tTG IgG test. Through Accesa Labs, people can order celiac antibody testing online, get tested at a local lab, and get results electronically, typically within 4 business days. Please note that you should be on a gluten-containing diet for antibody (blood) testing to be accurate.

What Is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and destruction of the lining of the small intestine from overstimulation of one's immune system. Celiac disease is typically triggered by exposure to gluten from wheat, barley and rye in the diet. In susceptible people, gluten exposure causes the immune system to damage the intestinal villi - the small finger-like projections responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. When villi are damaged or flattened, the body cannot properly absorb vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease causes direct and indirect symptoms. Direct symptoms from disruption of the intestinal lining include diarrhea (greasy, foul-smelling, pale stool), bloating, cramping and weight loss or failure to gain weight. Indirect, non-gastrointestinal symptoms result from malabsorption of vitamins and minerals and can include iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue, bone pain, low bone density, peripheral neuropathy, brain fog, infertility, mouth sores, and a specific blistering skin rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis.

Celiac disease often goes undiagnosed for years because many adults with celiac disease have unusual or no gastrointestinal symptoms. Some people only discover they have celiac disease after being evaluated for other conditions such as anemia, osteoporosis, or infertility.

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Who Should Get a Celiac Disease Test?

People with symptoms suggestive of celiac disease Chronic diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramping, and unexplained weight loss - particularly when triggered by gluten-containing foods - are symptoms that often prompt celiac testing. These symptoms overlap significantly with other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions which makes celiac blood testing a useful early step in the diagnostic workup.

First-degree relatives of people with celiac disease Celiac disease has a strong genetic component that runs in families. First-degree relatives of someone with confirmed celiac disease have are at risk of also having celiac disease, even in the absence of symptoms. Periodic celiac screening is sometimes recommended for first-degree relatives regardless of symptom status.

People with associated autoimmune conditions Celiac disease is more prevalent among people with other autoimmune conditions, including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, and primary Sjögren's syndrome. People with these conditions are often screened for celiac disease even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms.

People with unexplained anemia, nutrient deficiencies, or bone loss Iron-deficiency anemia that does not respond adequately to iron supplementation, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and unexplained low bone density can all be manifestations of malabsorption caused by untreated celiac disease. People with unexplained nutrient deficiencies should be evaluated for celiac disease as a potential underlying cause.

People with dermatitis herpetiformis Dermatitis herpetiformis is an intensely itchy, blistering skin rash that can occur with celiac disease. It appears most commonly on the elbows, knees, buttocks, and back and responds to a gluten-free diet. People with suspected dermatitis herpetiformis should be checked for celiac disease markers as part of their workup.

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Celiac Disease Testing Near You

Getting a celiac disease test near you at a Quest Diagnostics lab can be a useful initial screening step to check for celiac disease. This particular celiac panel measures blood levels of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA and IgG antibodies and gliadin IgA and IgG antibodies. As can be seen on the sample celiac disease lab results above, the individual components of the celiac disease test panel are reported as numerical values and can be compared against the reference ranges provided by the lab. The tTG IgA antibody is almost always positive in people who have celiac disease, even if on a gluten-free diet. Measuring tTG IgG antibodies in addition to gliadin antibodies is helpful as to search for celiac disease in the event that a person has a rare condition called an IgA deficiency. If lab testing comes back positive, the next step is usually an invasive procedure known as an endoscopy to biopsy the intestinal lining.

Today, the only known way to attempt to heal damage from celiac disease is by going on a gluten-free diet. A long-term commitment, celiac blood testing can be helpful as a screening method for celiac disease in people concerned about it.