Karoly Horvath, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Director, Peds GI & Nutrition Laboratory; University of Maryland at Baltimore: Serological tests are performed at the time of diagnosis of celiac disease and they are repeated later to estimate the efficacy of the gluten-free diet.

It is recommended to perform a full serological test-panel in patients with suspected celiac disease. These tests measure antibodies belonging to both the IgA and IgG classes of immunoglobulins. The incidence of selective IgA deficiency is much higher in celiac patients than in the general population. In patients with selective IgA deficiency only the IgG antigliadin antibody may be present, however, this antibody is less specific. It means that the IgG-type antigliadin antibody may be present in otherwise normal individuals.

If somebody had a positive endomysial antibody test at the time of diagnosis he/she may choose to use only this antibody test to monitor the effect of the diet. There are individual differences in the disappearance of serum antibodies.

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