Should I Get A Home Finger Prick Test

[StephanCasey]

I heard about celiac and I read some of the symptoms which really got me worried then I stopped having gluten for 2 days. I know evil bad. Slap myself on the wrist. So today I started eating it again and I wonder if the finger prick test will be accurate now. Do you think 2 days is fine. The test should still work? Also how accurate is it? I don't have money for a full blood test so if this comes out a strong positive, is that enough to assume I'm celiac?

[kareng]

I am not familiar with a finger prick test. Might not be available in the US? You might want to see if there are any reputable sites with info on it?

I doubt 2 days would really effect any test, especially if you ate gluten for a few days before the test.

[StephanCasey]

I am not familiar with a finger prick test. Might not be available in the US? You might want to see if there are any reputable sites with info on it?

I doubt 2 days would really effect any test, especially if you ate gluten for a few days before the test.

Yeah I think I'll be fine. I'm not in the US. I'm in South Africa and we do have them

 

Edit: when I say fine I mean fine to take the test

[nvsmom]

I used the Biocard finger prick test and it worked for me. The Biocard test tests for normal levels of serum IgA (the control line) and elevated levels of tTG IgA (tissue transglutaminase) - if it is elevated there is a line.

 

When I did the test I had a very faint false positive line. I'm not sure if it was because I did not quite get enough blood into the test, but regardless it was a very faint line.  When I had the test re-run by a doctor, it was very positive, but I was also "gluten loading" by eating a LOT of gluten for a few weeks.

 

I would make sure you have eaten adequate amounts of gluten before you test. It may be better to wait a while and eat gluten heavy for a few days or weeks before testing (if you have been gluten light of gluten-free).

 

Good luck!