Rectal Challenge Test Kit?

[jfryberger]

I don't know if I am sensitive to gluten or not. However, my health and health history suggests that I may be. Regardless, I started a gluten-free regimen just over one week ago. Now, I would like to test for gluten sensitivity.

It seems that one the most accurate gluten sensitivity tests, and specifically for someone who is already practicing a gluten-free diet, is the "rectal challenge".

Does anyone know of a lab that offers a test kit (for rectal challenge) that can be mailed to my practitioner? I haven't come up with anything.

Thanks.

[ravenwoodglass]

To my knowledge the rectal challenge is not available in the US. It is too bad because it is quite sensitive but it is not in use here, perhaps because it is so sensitive. Perhaps after they develop a pill to push it will be used but not at present. This also would not be a test available for home use because it requires a biopsy of the tissue.

There is however a test you can do that can be done at home. It is done by Enterolab. In this test you send a stool sample and they test for gluten antibodies in the stool. Enterolab does not officially diagnose celiac but they can tell you if you are forming antibodies. You can use this even if you have gone gluten-free recently without having to ingest gluten for the testing. They can also do gene testing if you want and can stool test for casien, soy and yeast antibodies if you want them to.