How is celiac disease diagnosed?

Accurately diagnosing celiac disease can be quite difficult largely because the symptoms often mimic those of other diseases including irritable bowel syndrome, Chron's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, intestinal infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression.

To gain a proper diagnosis of celiac disease, a physician will order the following blood tests:

• Total IgA
• IgA antitissue transglutaminase (tTG)
• IgA antiendomysial antibody immunofluorescence (EMA)
• If IgA is deficient, IgG tTG test should also be ordered. At the discretion of the doctor, antigliaden IgG can also be ordered.

**It is important to continue eating a normal, gluten-containing diet before being tested for celiac. If the blood tests and symptoms indicate celiac, a physician may suggest a biopsy of the lining of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis.

For more information about celiac disease screening, please visit Quest Diagnostics. Although test names may vary from those listed above, they are testing the same antibodies and are the same test.

 

Last Updated July 10, 2007