Tests and Procedures Used to Make a Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Recently, researchers discovered that people with
celiac disease have higher-than-normal levels of certain autoantibodies in their blood. Antibodies are protective proteins produced by the immune system in response to substances that the body perceives to be threatening. Autoantibodies are proteins that react against the body's own molecules or tissues.
To diagnose celiac disease, physicians will also usually test the person's blood to measure the levels of one or more of the following antibodies:
- IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA)
- IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (AEA)
- IgA and IgG anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA).
Before being tested, one should continue to eat a regular diet that includes foods with gluten, such as breads and pastas. If a person stops eating foods with gluten before being tested, the results may be negative for celiac disease, even if the disease is actually present.
If the tests and symptoms suggest celiac disease, the healthcare provider will typically perform a small bowel biopsy. During the biopsy, the healthcare provider removes a tiny piece of tissue from the small intestine to check for damage to the villi. To obtain the tissue sample, the healthcare provider eases a long, thin tube called an endoscope through the mouth and stomach into the small intestine. Using instruments passed through the endoscope, the healthcare provider then takes the sample.
Celiac Disease Diagnosis -- A Gluten-Free Diet
Once celiac disease is suspected, the last step in diagnosis will be to have the person try a
gluten-free diet. If symptoms improve with this type of celiac disease diet, a diagnosis of celiac disease is likely.
It is important that a person does not self-diagnose celiac disease and begin treatment before the diagnosis has been confirmed. Without gluten in the diet, some of the tests above will be negative for celiac disease, even if the disease is actually present. This will lead to more tests and the possibility that the condition will be misdiagnosed.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print