Celiac Disease Tests To Request

What tests to request from your doctor:

To get a more accurate diagnosis you should be following a daily diet that contains gluten for at least 4-6 weeks. My doctor told me to eat some bread the day before but some information from the National Institue for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK explains it is important that you eat some gluten       (for ex. bread, pasta, biscuits or cake) in more than one meal everyday for at least 6 wks.   

If your doctor doesn't listen to
 your requests find one that does!

Specific antibody blood tests are the initial step in screening for Celiac.  Remember to always consult with your physician to ensure a proper diagnosis. Depending on the outcome of these tests a biopsy of your small intestines will more than likely be ordered, make sure they take at least four biopsies and that they have a good reputation in being able to read these specific biopsies.  Your best bet is a specialist that deals with Celiac Disease on a regular basis.  I saw the experts at the Celiac Center in Pennsylvania at the Jefferson University Hospital.

These are the recommended Blood Tests:

• Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG – IgA and IgG)
  commonly used whether or not symptoms are present and it's the most sensitive test that is available.
• Anti-endomysial antibody (EMA-IgA) 
• Anti-deaminated gliadin peptide (DGP – IgA and IgG)
  used when tTG or EMA is negative and in cases where patient is IgA deficient
• Total serum IgA – used to check levels to exclude selective IgA deficiency that results in a false negative test
• Anti-gliadin antibody (AgA – IgG and IgA) used for children under 2 because tTG and EMA antibodies may be absent. The anti-DGP test is sensitive in this group.

This Info is also found on the celiac.org website.  

Some questions that i encourage you to ask your doctor are as follows:

• Please give me more details about the tests I should have.

• What do the tests involve?

• What exactly are you testing for?

• How long will it take for me to get the results of these tests?

• Can you provide me with help or information about what

   I should and should not eat and for how long?

Questions if your blood test yields positive results:

• Please give me more details about the tests I should have next.

• Should I make any changes to my diet, if so what types of changes and for how long?

• What could or will happen if I choose not to change my diet? Short term and or long term?

For family members and friends of those with Celiac or thought to have Celiac or gluten issues:

• What can I/we do to help and support the person with

celiac disease or gluten issues?

• Is there any other support that I/we might find

helpful or are entitled to?

* How can we show that we are willing to listen, comfort and support our loved ones with these issues and make their lives easier?

It is just as important for your family members to be informed about Celiac Disease or your gluten sensitivity, allergy or intolerance as it is for you.  This is especially the case for your immediate family or family members that you regularly share a living quarters with.  

"Diseases are killing us faster than we're killing them so let's not kill each other's spirits.  Let's be upbuilding to all those who suffer whether we can relate or not.  After all none of us are immune to sickness it may be your burden one day and then, Who will build you up?"

Remember when finding out you have this disease or problem with gluten you will undoubtedly go through a period of grieving.  Take the time necessary because this is a completely new way of living.  It's like a baby learning to walk, there's a lot of discovery that has to happen and a lot of falls that will happen but once you get it down you will see it's not so bad after all.  After you have grieved for your appropriate time period, pick yourself, up dust yourself off and keep moving forward.  With the help of friends and family, support groups and blogs such as this one you can start to feel healthy again!

Side note for friends and family:  Be understanding to those with these diagnoses, allow them to grieve.  You would grieve too if you were told that the way you've been doing everything your entire life needed to change.  They are learning a whole new way of life and their moods will no doubt not always be the greatest.  Now is the time they need your love and support the most.  They will eventually get past this stage and they will be so appreciative for your love and understanding, plus this experience may even draw you closer.  This isn't an easy time for any of you but especially for the newly diagnosed.