Celiac disease (CD) is often undiagnosed and is caused in genetically predisposed individuals by abnormal intestinal permeability and abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein complex found in wheat, barley, spelt and rye. The inflammatory autoimmune response damages the lining of the small bowel and is associated with diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic autoimmune conditions.

This test is useful for

• Patients who have persistent skin conditions (rash) or ataxia, idiopathic neurological conditions, autoimmune arthritis/ thyroiditis, unexplained weight loss or persistent  gastrointestinal symptoms that are not associated with enteropathogens
• Symptomatic individuals that have tested positive for the  HLA DQ2/DQ8 genotypes
• Patients with symptoms or symptom exacerbation with dietary gluten or re-introduction of gluten after a trial elimination of gluten
• Individuals that have a first degree relative with a diagnosis of CD
• Any child with a history of 3 or more antibiotic-treated cases of gastroenteritis while less than 6 months of age
• Patients on a gluten-inclusive diet who have Type I diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis or schizophrenia
• Individuals on a gluten-inclusive diet who have other laboratory evidence that may be associated with CD:
• Elevated liver function tests
• Bone demineralization
• Evidence of impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, iron, B12 or folic acid

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Gastrointestinal Health

Clinical microbiology plays a crucial role in individual and community health. Because most microbes living on or within the body are beneficial, distinguishing those that are disease-producing is a critical function of a clinical microbiology laboratory.

Doctor's Data bridges traditional clinical microbiology with complementary medicine, providing world-class diagnostic microbiology testing that helps you assess digestive and absorptive functions, detect pathogens or parasites and identify specific bacteria and yeast. Through specimens collected from a variety of body sites and the use of advanced assays and technology, Doctor's Data determines what microorganisms are present and which may be causing infection. Our painstaking approach can help you select the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy and the comprehensive nature of our testing represents real value for your patients and practice.

Detailed Information

The Celiac & Gluten Sensitivity profile from Doctor's Data helps identify, and differentiate between Celiac disease (CD), non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and wheat allergy by evaluating the serum titers of IgA and IgG for tissue transglutaminase, deamidated gliadin peptide, gliadin, gluten and IgE for wheat.

Celiac disease (CD) is often undiagnosed and is caused in genetically predisposed individuals by abnormal intestinal permeability and abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein complex found in wheat, barley, spelt and rye. The inflammatory autoimmune response is associated with extreme damage to the lining of the small bowel and is associated with diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic autoimmune conditions.  Although most commonly diagnosed in children, CD is often not expressed until later in life (delayed onset). It has been hypothesized that a gradual or abrupt change in the gastrointestinal microbiome may be responsible for delayed on set.  Non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can cause similar symptoms but without the same level of intestinal epithelial tissue damage.  

Antibody tests that indicate possible CD and NCGS will only be accurate if the patient is on a gluten-inclusive diet.  The test is also useful for monitoring adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Celiac Disease

CD may result in a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) and “extra-intestinal” symptoms.  Common symptoms associated with CD include:

GI

• Diarrhea
• Steatorrhea
• Weight loss
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Abdominal pain

Systemic

• Fatigue
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Rashes and skin problems
• peripheral neuropathy or ataxia
• Autoimmune arthritis or neurological conditions
• Failure to thrive (infants)
• Bone disease or loss of bone density
• Malnutrition
• Hormone and fertility problems
• abnormal liver function tests

CD is also associated with other clinical disorders including thyroiditis, type I diabetes mellitus, Down syndrome, and IgA deficiency.  Patients diagnosed with CD must remain on a gluten-free diet for life and avoid all gluten containing foods and grains (wheat, rye, spelt, barley).  This test is clinically useful for monitoring patient adherence to a gluten-free diet. Gluten is present in almost all processed foods and many beverages. A list of foods that may contain gluten or wheat can be found on our Hidden Sources of Gluten and Wheat page.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

Individuals with NCGS are often spared the intestinal damage common in Celiac patients, but suffer from abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and many “extra-intestinal” symptoms such as “foggy mind”, depression, ADHD-like behavior, headaches, bone or joint pain, and chronic fatigue when they have gluten in their diet.  There are many antigenic triggers (epitopes) in the gluten protein complex that have cytotoxic, immunomodulatory, and gut permeating properties.

Immune cells activated in the sub-endothelial space in the gut circulate throughout the body. Up to 50% of NCGS patients may only test positive for IgG anti-gliadin antibodies when on a gluten-inclusive diet.

Wheat Allergy

Wheat allergy is caused by an individual’s IgE antibody response to many classes of wheat proteins including; serine protease inhibitors, gliadins, glutelins, prolamins and gluten. Symptoms of a wheat allergy reaction can range from mild, such as hives, to severe, such as anaphylaxis. Wheat allergy symptoms are sometimes confused with those of CD/NCGS, but these conditions differ and testing for IgE antibodies to wheat can aid in making the proper diagnosis.

Before You Start:

Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures. Fasting is not required for these tests. It is generally recommended to refrain from taking non-essential medications and dietary supplements (especially biotin) for 72 hours prior to the specimen collection unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician Celiac/Gluten testing should not be performed on patients currently on a gluten-free diet, unless used to monitor long-term compliance, or as otherwise directed by your physician.

Collection Instructions: here