The importance of testing for gluten intolerance and exactly how it works

If you experience one or more symptoms that indicate gluten intolerance, it is advisable to get tested. Persons suffering from gluten intolerance are hypersensitive to gluten and therefore, when ingesting it, may experience symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, (chronic) diarrhea, constipation, emaciation, etc.

Misunderstood gluten intolerance can also eventually result in severe anemia with the accompanying symptoms of fatigue and lethargy. With gluten intolerance, nutrients are not absorbed as well, increasing the risk of deficiencies of essential nutrients over time. Having your blood tested can give you important insights.

There are two ways one can get tested for gluten intolerance. This can be done through a self-test or a blood test from an authorized person.

In a blood test, an authorized person blood to investigate further. So you don’t do this yourself. In such an examination, we perform three analyses out that can establish the diagnosis:

• An anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA test.
• A deaminated Giladin IgG test.
• An IgA total test

It is certainly important to continue eating continue to eat gluten so we can’t misdiagnose. If you avoid gluten the tests can go back to normal and the diagnosis may be missed if possible.

Analyses will then reveal whether there are antibodies for gluten are present in the patient’s blood. A internal bowel examination for a biopsy of the small intestine is then often a final step.

A anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA analysis we always perform in combination with an IgA total test to determine whether the patient is suffering from IgA deficiency or not. In addition, we also always deaminated Gliadin IgG test is determined. A positive result indicates a gluten intolerance. The combination of these 3 tests provides the greatest sensitivity in detecting gluten intolerance. A negative test with persistent symptoms may require further investigation by a physician.

Is a gastroscopy or endoscopy necessary to detect gluten intolerance?

To make the diagnosis with certainty when determining anti-tissue Transglutaminase or deaminated Gliadin antibodies is to perform a gastroscopy favorable, especially in adults. A gastroscopy to diagnose Celiac disease is a internal bowel examination, in which de doctor uses a flexible tube through the mouth, esophagus and stomach to access the first part of the small intestine and tissue particles are taken for further examination.

Depending on the symptoms and the presence of antibodies to gluten, the doctor decides whether a small intestinal biopsy is necessary.

Self tests have not 100% reliablebaarnessbut they do give an indication Whether you are suffering from gluten intolerance. In case of a positive result, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor will then make a diagnosis based on a blood test and/or further examination.

Before taking the self-test perform, clean the fingertip. Once you have done that, make a puncture in the fingertip so that a drop of blood flows out. Fill the recording tube with the drop of blood and insert the tube into the accompanying vial of diluent. Shake the vial so that the blood is mixed with the liquid. The final step consists of applying a few drops of the solution to the test plate using a pipette. After 10 minutes, the result then appears on the test plate.

To be sure and skip some of the steps, you can also immediately take a blood test be performed. Certainly do not hesitate to contact us for this purpose.

In Belgium, about 1% of the population suffers from gluten intolerance. Most of them are not even aware of it. You can get gluten intolerance at any age, but usually develop the symptoms occur during the early years of life. However, definitive diagnosis of intolerance often occurs later in life. The vast majority of new patients are adults.

There are also some groups at higher risk, such as individuals with an autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes and certain thyroid disorders. In addition, individuals suffering from the syndrome from Down, Turner syndrome and Williams syndrome also an increased risk. A gluten intolerance can also genetic transmission. Thus, it is more common in persons whose first- or second-degree relatives also suffer from it.

Celiac disease is simply a synonym for a gluten intolerance. Based on three tests on blood, the anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA test, the deaminated Giladin IgG test and the IgA total test, antibodies to gluten are detected. The only treatment that exists for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.

If you suffer from one or more symptoms that may indicate gluten intolerance or celiac disease, then our blood test offer you more insight. Don’t hesitate to an appointment record or contact us if you would like more information.