Celiac disease is a , autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. It is triggered by the consumption of gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Individuals with celiac disease experience an immune response when they consume gluten, leading to damage to the lining of the small intestine. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.
If you suspect that you may have celiac disease, your doctor may order a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. While a blood test alone is not enough to celiac disease, it can provide valuable information to help determine whether further testing, such as endoscopy, is necessary.
The most commonly used blood test for diagnosing celiac disease is the tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody test. This test measures the level of tTG antibodies in the blood. tTG is an enzyme that plays a role in the body’s immune response. In individuals with celiac disease, the consumption of gluten triggers the production of tTG antibodies. A high level of tTG antibodies in the blood is indicative of celiac disease.
Another blood test that can be used to help diagnose celiac disease is the anti-endomysial antibody (EMA) test. Endomysium is a type of connective tissue present in the body. EMA antibodies are produced in individuals with celiac disease as a result of the immune response triggered by gluten consumption. A positive EMA test result, along with clinical symptoms and positive tTG antibodies, can strongly suggest a diagnosis of celiac disease.
In some cases, doctors may also order the total serum IgA test. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody that plays a role in the body’s immune response. A deficiency of IgA can occur in a small percentage of individuals with celiac disease. If an IgA deficiency is suspected, your doctor may order additional tests, such as IgG-based tests, to accurately diagnose celiac disease.
It is important to note that a person must be on a gluten-containing diet for the blood test to accurately detect celiac disease. If an individual is already following a gluten-free diet, the test results may be negative due to the absence of gluten triggering the immune response. It is recommended to continue consuming gluten until all diagnostic tests, including endoscopy, have been completed.
While blood tests can provide valuable information, they are not definitive for celiac disease diagnosis. The gold standard for diagnosing celiac disease is an intestinal biopsy. During an endoscopy, small tissue samples are collected from the lining of the small intestine for examination under a microscope. This allows for a direct assessment of the damage caused by celiac disease.
In conclusion, blood tests can help determine whether further testing is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of celiac disease. The tTG antibody test and EMA test are commonly used to detect the presence of celiac disease-related antibodies. However, a biopsy is still necessary to confirm the diagnosis definitively. If you suspect that you may have celiac disease, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional who can guide you through the necessary steps for an accurate diagnosis and help you manage the condition effectively with a gluten-free diet.