Celiac Blood Test

[Kwheeler61]

I have a blood test scheduled to test for Celiac. I have been virtually gluten free for approximately seven months. How much gluten and for how long do I need before my blood test?

[kareng]

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"A gluten challenge is the period of time when gluten is added back into a person’s diet to assist in the diagnosis of celiac disease. Antibodies take time to build into the blood stream before they can be detected through blood analysis. For a gluten challenge we recommend eating 1/2 slice of bread or a cracker each day for the duration of the challenge.

• Prior to blood testing we recommend 12 weeks of eating gluten.
• Prior to an endoscopic biopsy we recommend 2 weeks of eating gluten.

In the case of a severe reaction to gluten, a medical professional may opt to shorten the 12-week challenge and move immediately to an endoscopic biopsy."

[Kwheeler61]

Thank you. I was hoping for a short cut. My two grandchildren have just been diagnosed and I'm thinking it's my family. From my father who was only 4' 8" when he died of liver cirrhosis. (Granddaughters' only symptom was short stature.) My five siblings and I have all had various symptoms associated with Celiac, so I do want to be tested, but I'm reluctant to eat gluten as I've felt SO much better without it.

[kareng]

Sorry. No legitimate shortcuts yet. A couple of things being worked on, but not sure they are even into human trials yet.

You could get a genetic test and see if you have the genes. But, about 30% of people have one so it doesn't mean you have Celiac - just that it could develop.