Is gluten making you sick?
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by a sensitivity to gluten. Exposure to gluten triggers an immune response which causes inflammation of the lining of the small intestine and can lead to abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea. Left untreated coeliac disease can also affect nutrient absorption resulting in additional symptoms such as anaemia, fatigue and headaches. In chronic cases, coeliac disease can even cause liver disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and even infertility. That's why we've design this simple test.
If you have a family history of coeliac disease then it’s important to consider screening. But also consider this test if you are deficient in iron or other nutrients, have gastrointestinal symptoms, unexplained infertility, liver disease, or other autoimmune disease such as diabetes or thyroid disease. Coeliac disease is controlled by eliminating gluten from the diet - this helps to heal the small intestine, manage symptoms and reduce the long-term risk of complications.
What we test
Coeliac Serology
People with coeliac disease who eat gluten have higher than normal levels of tissue transglutaminase antibodies in their blood. These antibodies are produced by the immune system because it views gluten - the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley - as a threat. This test is positive in about 98% of patients with coeliac disease who are on a gluten-containing diet.
Note that a negative result does not necessarily exclude coeliac disease, and if you are symptomatic you may require further testing. A biopsy of the small intestine is the only way to formally diagnose coeliac disease.
Anti-gliadin antibodies are produced in response to gliadin, a prolamin found in wheat.
The tTg antibodies test is the most sensitive and specific gluten intolerance test for coeliac disease. This tTG blood test can also be used to help evaluate the effectiveness of treatment as antibody levels should fall when gluten is removed from the diet.
Test instructions
Do not commence a gluten free diet prior to the blood test.
Download and print your pathology form from your i-screen dashboard.
Take your form to one of our affiliated collection centres to have your sample taken.
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