Celiac disease gluten intolerance test

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system reacts to gluten and damages the lining of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. Treatment consists of a lifelong gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease is triggered by a misguided autoimmune response to gluten—a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, spelt, and green spelt. In people with celiac disease, the immune system recognizes gluten as a threat and produces antibodies that attack the intestinal lining and cause inflammation.

In addition to gluten intolerance, other factors may contribute to the development of celiac disease:

• Infections with intestinal viruses or changes in the gut flora are considered possible triggers
  
• A genetic predisposition plays a major role: Around 90% of people with celiac disease have a specific surface protein on their immune cells that is involved in the inflammatory response.
  
• Heredity: Children of people with celiac disease have an increased risk of also developing the condition (approximately 10–15%).
  
• Other factors, such as intestinal infections, taking antibiotics during pregnancy or childhood, and changes in infants’ microbiomes, could also promote celiac disease, but study results on this are still inconsistent.

You should consider taking a celiac disease self-test in the following cases:

1. Symptoms: If you have symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
2. Family history: If celiac disease or other autoimmune diseases are known to occur in your family, testing is advisable.
3. Unclear symptoms: If you have persistent or recurring health problems that could indicate a food intolerance.
4. Before starting a gluten-free diet: If you are considering starting a gluten-free diet, you should get tested beforehand, as the test is only conclusive if you are consuming gluten.

The celiac disease self-test includes the following:

• 1 test cassette
• Instructions
• 1 lancet
• 1 pipette
• 1 buffer solution
• 1 alcohol pad

After performing the test, it takes approximately 5–10 minutes for the result to be available.

Untreated celiac disease can have the following consequences:

• Intestinal damage: Chronic inflammation can lead to permanent damage to the lining of the small intestine.
• Nutrient deficiencies: Impaired nutrient absorption can lead to deficiencies such as iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency, or osteoporosis.
• Weight loss: Persistent weight loss and malnutrition can occur.
• Increased risk of other diseases: There is an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes or thyroid disorders.

Celiac disease can manifest in various ways, and the symptoms are often diverse. Common complaints include:

• chronic diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• bloating
• weight loss
• anemia
• osteoporosis
• extreme fatigue
• growth delays in affected children

If the result is positive, this means that anti-tTG IgA antibodies were detected in the blood. In this case, you should see a doctor and discuss the test results. The doctor will decide whether further tests are necessary, which may include a gut test to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of celiac disease.

Tip: The gut test can already be carried out directly through us beforehand to make the next step easier for you.

You can test for gluten intolerance in several ways. The traditional method is a blood test that detects specific antibodies elevated in celiac disease. An intestinal biopsy can provide additional clarity. For an initial assessment, however, a gluten intolerance self-test is suitable and can be conveniently performed at home.

Yes – a gluten self-test can provide initial indications of a possible intolerance. With this gluten intolerance self-test, you collect a small blood or stool sample, which is analyzed in a laboratory. You receive the results online or by mail. This allows you to easily check whether you have gluten intolerance or even celiac disease.