Diagnosing Celiac Disease

The diagnosis of celiac disease can usually be made by the symptoms seen after gluten consumption. “What tests can detect celiac disease?” “How do I know if I have celiac disease?” We will explain the answer to your questions.

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as chronic or intermittent diarrhea and ongoing, unexplained nausea and vomiting
  • Recurrent abdominal pain, cramps or bloating
  • Ongoing fatigue
  • Weight loss, especially sudden or unexpected
  • Unexplained anemia

Its symptoms are important for diagnosing celiac disease.

At the same time, celiac disease tests may be possible with antibody tests. Tissue transglutaminase (TTG) serology is the initial test of choice for people with suspected celiac disease symptoms and those at high risk. While serology can show the possibility of celiac disease, the diagnosis is usually made by performing a small bowel biopsy to be sure of the result.

Both serological and biopsy screening should not be performed if gluten has been excluded from the diet because of the increased possibility of false negatives. Patients should be advised to continue consuming a gluten-containing diet for at least six weeks prior to testing.

Your doctor will test a blood sample for antibodies that are usually found in the bloodstream of people with celiac disease. You should add gluten to your diet when a blood test is done because avoiding it can show false results in tests. If antibodies to celiac disease are found in your blood, your doctor will order a biopsy of the intestine. However, in some cases, it is possible to have celiac disease but not have these antibodies in your blood.

If you're diagnosed with celiac disease, you may have other tests done to evaluate how the condition has affected you so far. You can have other blood tests to check the levels of iron and other vitamins and minerals in your blood. This will help determine if celiac disease is causing you to develop anemia (lack of iron in your blood) as a result of poor digestion.

After testing for celiac disease, some patients with celiac disease may have significant weight loss, anemia, and signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency. Nutritional status depends on the severity of gastrointestinal damage and the length of time a person has lived with active disease.

Many people feel overwhelmed when they are diagnosed with celiac disease. Switching to a gluten-free diet can be confusing, especially if you've been eating gluten-containing foods for years. In the first few months after diagnosis, many people mistakenly eat gluten-containing foods, which can trigger a return of their symptoms; there will be nothing to worry about. For your health, you should continue to follow a gluten-free diet.