Who should be tested for celiac disease?
People with symptoms of celiac disease should ask their doctor about being tested.

In addition, people with any of the following associated conditions should ask about testing for celiac disease:

• Addison’s Disease
• AIDS
• Asthma
• Attention deficit disorder in children (ADD)
• Autism
• Autoimmune liver disease
• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Chronic diarrhea of unknown origin
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Diabetes mellitus, type 1
• Down’s syndrome
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hepatitis C
• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Iron deficiency
• Lupus
• Microscopic colitis
• Osteopenia
• Osteoporosis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Miscarriages (persistent) or infertility, or any woman with children that have neural tube defects
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Seizure disorders
• Short stature in children
• Sjogren’s syndrome
• Any other autoimmune syndrome

Relatives of celiacs or gluten-sensitive individuals should also be tested, and individuals with celiac disease should be re-tested one year after following a gluten-free diet.

What are the tests for celiac disease?
Your doctor will do a blood test first. The celiac panel antibody blood test should include:

• Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA - this test is considered very specific, but can produce false negatives
• Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA - this test is considered very sensitive, but can produce false negatives
• Total Serum IgA - this test is necessary because some people cannot make IgA antibodies at all, even if they have celiac disease. If a person is IgA deficient (as seen with this test), then he/she will need to be tested for IgG antibodies.
• Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA and Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG - these tests are considered outdated to detect celiac disease, but may be useful in follow-up testing to make sure that people are following a gluten-free diet

What if I test positive on the blood tests?
If you test positive, then your doctor will most likely order a biopsy to check for flattening of the villi in your small intestine. If positive for damage, a diagnosis of celiac disease is usually made.

What if I test negative on the blood tests?
The blood tests for celiac disease are not 100% accurate. Therefore, if you test negative on the blood tests, this does not mean that celiac disease should be ruled out. Some people have positive biopsies despite having a negative blood test. It is possible to have latent celiac disease, which means the signs of celiac haven’t shown up yet in your life, but still could.

Are there any other testing options?

Gene testing is a way to tell is someone could develop celiac disease. If someone does not have the genes associated with celiac disease, usually it can be ruled out. Other testing options include stool tests by independent labs for gluten sensitivity and going on a gluten-free diet and then a doing gluten challenge.*

* This information is not meant to be medical advice. Please consult a doctor and dietician regarding any testing, diagnosis and diet.