Celiac disease test: check whether gluten plays a role

Abdominal complaints and vague, lingering tiredness are hard to pin down. They can point to all sorts of things, which can make it frustrating to get clarity. A celiac blood test can be a first step to see whether gluten might play a role.

In celiac disease, your immune system reacts to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye. In doing so, your body produces certain antibodies. This test measures those antibodies, so you get a more concrete picture than your symptoms alone.

This test can be useful if you notice your body responds differently to bread, pasta or other products containing gluten. Think of recurring abdominal complaints, a bloated feeling, changing bowel habits or tiredness you cannot quite explain.

Celiac disease is relatively common in women, and it sometimes plays a part in a stubborn iron deficiency or anemia. If celiac disease runs in your family, you may also be curious about your own values. Many people search for a gluten allergy test; good to know is that celiac disease is actually an autoimmune reaction, not a classic allergy.

This celiac disease blood test measures two antibodies linked to a reaction to gluten:

• Anti-TTG (Tissue Transglutaminase): antibodies against tissue transglutaminase, often the first marker looked at when celiac disease is suspected.
• Endomysium IgA: antibodies that are fairly specific to celiac disease and can add to the picture from anti-TTG.

Together, these two values give a more nuanced picture than a single marker on its own.

Your result shows whether, and to what degree, these antibodies are present in your blood. Raised values can point to a reaction to gluten, but the test does not make a diagnosis on its own. Celiac disease is assessed based on several pieces of information together.

A blood test like this mainly gives direction: a reference point you can discuss with your GP, who can assess whether further testing makes sense. A result within the reference range is valuable too, as it makes gluten a less likely cause.

This test requires a small blood draw at a certified lab. In the Netherlands you can choose from 700+ sample points across the country.

After ordering, you pick a location near you and schedule a moment that suits you. The draw itself usually takes only a few minutes, and you do not need a referral from your GP.

A celiac blood test can be valuable at different moments, for example:

• when you have had abdominal complaints for a longer time without a clear explanation
• with tiredness that could be linked to an iron deficiency or a lack of other nutrients
• when celiac disease runs in your family and you are curious about your own values
• when you are considering a gluten intolerance test and want more clarity about what is going on

Important: keep eating gluten in the period before the draw. If you have been avoiding gluten for a while, the antibodies can drop and the result becomes less reliable.

Your result shows your values for anti-TTG and endomysium IgA, along with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as usual varies by laboratory.

Values within the range make a reaction to gluten less likely, while raised values can suggest that your immune system is reacting to gluten. Good to know: in people with an IgA deficiency, the result can be less reliable. The doctor helps you place your values in the right context.

Your result is usually available online within a few working days. Each value is shown clearly with a reference range and an explanation, so you understand what you see.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.