What Blood Tests Do I Need To Determine If I Have Celiac?

jwblue · Joined: 11 May 2011 Posts: 2 Location: United States

Are the tests subjective? (i.e. if my test come back with a certain result, I have Celiac, otherwise I do not).

The reason I ask is, I am going to ask my psychiatrist to order the tests instead of spending money to see an internal medicine doctor.

If the test are subjective, then my psychiatrist should be able to determine if I have Celiac.

What specific blood tests do I need?

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 12530 Location: WI, USA

Hi JW,

Welcome to the board! Check out our post on the celiac blood work: http://forums.glutenfree.com/topic217.html

Also, if you are going thru the diagnostic process, I'd highly recommend you purchase Dr. Rodney Ford's ebook - The Gluten Syndrome. You'll be better informed.

The blood work will have reference ranges - what's high, what's low, etc. So, it's pretty to interpret the results. However, celiac testing is not without it's faults [see the blood work thread].
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

jwblue · Joined: 11 May 2011 Posts: 2 Location: United States

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 12530 Location: WI, USA

There are none that should be left out.

On the contrary, you will probably have to fight to get the Anti-Gliadin Autobody [AGA] tests included. Currently, mainstream medicine feels the "gluten autobody" test as unimportant because it does not detect villi damage [the current medical definition of celiac disease]. The AGA test will tell you if you are reacting to gluten - which is very important to know. If you are reacting gluten [gut damage or not], you shouldn't be consuming.

Celiac expert Dr. Fasano reports that humans are not designed to eat gluten, we don't posses the enzymes to break it down properly. Because our bodies can't break it down, it cause problems.

Educating yourself in this matter is key. Many mainstream medical professionals don't have a clue about celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or testing for it.

Regardless of the test results, you might consider a GF trial to see how you feel. Don't go GF before you get the testing done - it can skew the results.

As for expense, I can' say for sure. Someone else with recent testing might have a better idea. If I were to guess, I'd say 300.00 - 600.00 for the entire panel.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

bud7-10 · Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 368