Who Should Use a Gluten Intolerance Test?

Who Should Use a Gluten Intolerance Test? - welzo

diagnose celiac disease

Gluten intolerance is a condition that affects the small intestine, causing abdominal pain and other symptoms. It's caused by an inability to digest gluten, a protein in barley, wheat, rye and other grains.

People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten because their immune system reacts to it by attacking the small intestine. However, many people who aren't diagnosed with celiac disease also experience the same symptoms when they eat foods containing gluten, including bloating and abdominal pain. A gluten intolerance test can help determine whether your symptoms are entirely caused by an intolerance or something else.

Gluten intolerance tests are often recommended for people diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. They may also be used by people with symptoms that suggest a gluten intolerance but haven't been diagnosed with either condition, such as unexplained weight loss or chronic diarrhoea.

Trace your food intolerance by using this simple finger-prick blood test.

Gluten intolerance

Gluten intolerance is a digestive disorder that causes people to have adverse reactions to gluten ingestion. It's different from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body cannot digest gluten and progress to serious health concerns if not diagnosed and treated correctly.

Gluten intolerance often goes undiagnosed because it doesn't cause damage to the small intestine like celiac disease does — instead, it may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, which can occur within hours after eating foods containing gluten. Other common symptoms include bloating and diarrhoea. A gluten intolerance test may be used to confirm if you have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Gluten intolerance can cause symptoms also lead to constipation and weight loss.

Causes and risk factors of gluten intolerance

Gluten intolerance is common in people with autoimmune disorders. People who have certain types of cancers, such as lymphoma or stomach cancer, may also be at higher risk for developing gluten intolerance.

The cause of gluten intolerance remains unclear. It's believed that an autoimmune disorder usually causes gluten intolerance.

The condition may run in families because it has a genetic component. Still, most people with celiac disease don't have family members affected by it.

How is gluten intolerance diagnosed?

There is no specific test to determine gluten intolerance. The initial diagnosis for suspected gluten intolerance will include reviewing your medical history and executing a physical exam to identify and exclude possible causes for your symptoms.

The elimination of possible causes is part of a procedure known as the differential diagnosis. This process aims to differentiate a suspected cause from all other possible explanations. A differential diagnosis is essential when test results are uncertain and even more critical in the absence of available tests, such as with NCGS. If gluten intolerance is suspected, the following conditions are among the possible causes a gastroenterologist will want to eliminate:

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the small intestine, causing damage and preventing the absorption of nutrients from food. Symptoms vary widely by person and may include:

  • digestive problems

  • nutritional deficiencies

  • weight loss or gain

  • anaemia

  • osteoporosis

If you notice these symptoms after eating gluten-containing foods like bread or kinds of pasta—or if they occur without apparent cause—you should get tested for celiac disease.

 Conducting a blood test and a small intestine biopsy or endoscopy is the only way to diagnose celiac disease. The test looks for an antibody called tissue transglutaminase (tTG), found in the gut of people with celiac disease. If it's present, then you are likely suffering from this condition. Once you're diagnosed with celiac disease, you'll need to follow a gluten-free diet for life. Other tests for celiac disease are the following:

  • HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genetic testing aims to look for a gene that makes it easier for people to develop celiac disease.

  • A rectal biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample from the lining of the rectum and examining it under a microscope; this is usually only done when other tests are inconclusive.

  • The C-reactive protein (CRP) test aims to check for CRP, a marker of inflammation in your body that can be caused by celiac disease or other autoimmune disorders.

  • EMA test is a blood test that checks for an antibody called endomysial. The body's immune system produces EMA antibodies in response to gluten exposure. A positive EMA result means you have celiac disease.

  • The total serum IgA test is a blood test examining the total IgA amount in your body. Celiac disease is associated with low levels of this antibody; therefore, a positive result could point to an existing condition.

  • Deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) test is a blood test that aims to check for deamidated gliadin peptides, which are produced when the body tries to digest gluten. If you have celiac disease, your body will produce antibodies against these peptides.

  • Home testing is available for celiac disease but is less accurate than blood tests. A positive result does not imply you have celiac disease but indicates that you may be gluten sensitive or intolerant. If you want to confirm if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consult your doctor about getting tested for these conditions.

Non-celiac gluten intolerance

Gluten intolerance is not celiac disease. It's also not a wheat allergy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or other gastrointestinal disorders. People with non-celiac gluten intolerance can have digestive issues ranging from diarrhoea, constipation and bloating to more severe conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

These symptoms are generally less severe than those of celiac disease patients. Still, they do point to an underlying issue that needs attention nonetheless.

Non-celiac gluten intolerance does not cause damage to the small intestine like

celiac disease does—but it still affects how your body functions by creating inflammation throughout your intestinal tract, which can result in other health issues if left untreated.

Wheat allergy and other food allergies

If you're unsure whether your symptoms are due to celiac disease, wheat allergy or another food allergy may be the culprit.

Wheat allergies are immune reactions to specific proteins found in wheat, which can cause anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. You can test for wheat allergies with blood tests.

Suppose you have a history of food allergy or have experienced an allergic reaction after eating a particular food product. In that case, speaking with your doctor about testing for that specific allergen is beneficial before trying any new foods. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that causes symptoms like diarrhoea, cramping and bloating. It's more common in women than men and typically starts between 20 and 50 years of age.

Several factors, such as stress or diet, can cause IBS. But for many people who experience these symptoms every day—and don't enjoy the benefits of medication or dietary changes—gluten intolerance may seem like an appealing possibility to explain what has been going on inside their bodies for years.

Suppose you have IBS but test negative for celiac disease while still experiencing gastrointestinal problems. In that case, there are several other causes to consider before assuming that your problem is caused by ingesting gluten. Many people with IBS find relief from their symptoms through lifestyle changes such as reducing stress and exercising regularly.

Who can undergo a gluten intolerance test?

Individuals diagnosed with celiac disease are encouraged to undergo a blood test to confirm whether they have a gluten intolerance. This is because the condition can be life-threatening if left untreated, and a simple blood test may be all that's needed to confirm its presence. Other individuals who may want to consider undergoing this test include: 

  • Those with a history of celiac disease in their families

  • Those who have been diagnosed with other conditions that are often associated with celiac disease, particularly autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and thyroiditis

  • Those who have experienced unexplained symptoms after eating gluten-containing foods

  • Those who have IBS symptoms that don't respond well to standard treatments

  • Those who have been diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, an often-misunderstood condition that isn't a form of celiac disease but may still benefit from a gluten-free diet

  • Those who have experienced unexplained weight loss or gain

  • Those who have anaemia, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and other mood disorders

The test is also recommended for children before they begin eating solid foods to ensure that any potential problems are caught early on. 

Gluten challenge

Gluten challenge tests can be used to determine whether you are experiencing celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. In these tests, you're given small amounts of gluten over time and then monitored for symptoms. If you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea within 72 hours after eating gluten, this indicates that you have celiac disease. If you don't experience symptoms, this shows you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

However, these tests can be challenging to interpret, especially if you don't experience adverse reactions after eating gluten. They are only sometimes reliable when testing for non-celiac gluten sensitivity because some people may not react to minimal gluten intake.

Take this test to determine if you have an allergy to typical foods.

Treatment

Treatment for gluten-intolerant individuals involves eliminating gluten from your diet. However, it may not be enough, and you may need to take additional steps to improve your health. If you have celiac disease, a strict gluten-free diet is necessary. If you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy, then avoiding gluten may help symptoms improve, but it isn't always enough to eliminate them. This can be difficult because it means removing things like wheat flour and some types of beer.

Should you have been diagnosed with celiac disease and are following a gluten-free diet, it's essential to know how much gluten is too much. Some people with celiac disease feel better when they eat only minimal gluten. Others feel fine when they eat small amounts of gluten. And some people can't tolerate any amount of gluten at all.

A gluten-free diet

A diet free of gluten is recommended for people with celiac disease who have symptoms that improve when they avoid this allergen. It's also recommended for people with celiac disease who have an increased risk of complications from eating gluten.

This diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. If you have the condition, following a gluten-free diet is necessary to prevent further damage to your small intestine and other organs. It can also help reduce diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weight loss. In addition, this diet isn't just about avoiding bread, pasta and other foods made with wheat flour. It also means avoiding any food containing gluten, a protein in some grains such as barley, rye and wheat. You may also have to avoid the following:

  • Foods that are not labelled "gluten-free" but may contain wheat as an ingredient

  • Some processed foods may contain gluten, even if they don't list it on the label. These include soups (unless they say they are wheat-free), sauces or canned meats (such as beef jerky). Read labels carefully to check for ingredients that may be hidden sources of gluten.

  • Other baked goods, including pasta and pizza made with wheat flour

  • Beer, ale and other alcoholic beverages made from barley

  • Pasta noodles made with wheat flour or durum semolina (sometimes labelled "durum")

  • Prepared foods containing wheat or ingredients derived from grain, such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein

On one end, a gluten-free diet should not be torture. You can still gain proper nutrition while on a restrictive diet by eating:

  • Whole grains, such as brown rice, corn, quinoa and buckwheat

  • Legumes, such as lentils

  • Nuts, seeds and nut butter

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables

  • Lean proteins such as fish, chicken breast, and eggs

  • Dairy products that do not contain gluten ingredients.

 

a gluten containing diet may cause you stomach pain

The takeaway

When it comes to gluten intolerance, you must know what you're dealing with. That way, you can decide whether to eat gluten still and, if so, what amount is safe for your body. All of this becomes easier with a gluten intolerance test on hand (or at least in your doctor's office). You'll have peace of mind knowing what exact condition(s) caused your symptoms in the first place!

Here's a simple test to trace any food intolerance you might have.


Read more at Welzo about the 7 ways you can tell if you have a food intolerance or the best wholegrains to include in your diet!

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