Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

The Cost Of Gene Testing In Australia

Meggie

Recommended Posts

Meggie Rookie
Meggie
Posted

Hi

I'm guessing there aren't that many Aussies here, but I know of at least one, and I tried to PM, her but it's not working for me, maybe I'm too new here or something....

Anyway, I'm still waiting for my initial appointment with the gastro which will be in about 5 weeks, but in the meantime I was considering having the genetic testing.

Can anyone tell me if this is expensive here in Australia, or is it just like any blood test? Also does anyone know how long it takes to come back? I know one member on here was waiting at least two weeks, not sure how long it took in the end.

Thanks very much for your help.

Meg

  • 1 year later...
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Omitch Newbie
Omitch
Posted

Hi meggie, not sure if you are around anymore but I was wondering if you found out the cost in Australia? I'd like to have the test done as both my children have celiac disease and I tried calling Medicare but didn't get straight answers. Would love to know how much it costs! Thanks

Mack the Knife Explorer
Mack the Knife
Posted

It shouldn't cost you anything if your GP or specialist orders it. That's how it worked for me when I got tested a few months back. I think Medicare covered it. I never got a bill anyway.

Omitch Newbie
Omitch
Posted

It shouldn't cost you anything if your GP or specialist orders it. That's how it worked for me when I got tested a few months back. I think Medicare covered it. I never got a bill anyway.

When I asked my GP for the test, she said I'd have to pay for it myself as it is something that I asked for, not her. But then she didn't think much about celiac disease anyway.....disappointing that there seem to be so many GP's who don't believe that celiac disease causes such a problem. Maybe I'll try another GP.....

Kim69 Apprentice
Kim69
Posted

I am in Australia. It's free and takes about a week.

Omitch Newbie
Omitch
Posted

Kim69, do you mean the celiac screen test or the gene test? I had the screen test done for free and back in a week but the gene test takes about 10 working days to come back. My mums GP had that one bulk billed for her but my GP wanted me to pay for it.

Mack the Knife Explorer
Mack the Knife
Posted

I don't know. My gastroenterologist ordered the genetic testing along with a whole lot of other blood tests, but I'd already been diagnosed with Coeliac disease by blood test and biospy.

It is worthwhile getting your genes tested. A negative gene test means that you almost certainly don't have or won't get Coeliac disease. But there are some rare exceptions... eg my gene test came back negative for the Coeliac genes despite having been officially diagnosed - but that is really unusual.

Why don't you contact the Coeliac society and get them to recommend a GP in you local area who knows about Coeliac disease. I've done that in the past and they were able to give me a fee good recommendations.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


gf-soph Apprentice
gf-soph
Posted

I don't know. My gastroenterologist ordered it along with a whole lot of other blood tests, but I'd already been diagnosed with Coeliac disease by blood test came back negative despite this btw. So they are not absolutely 100% in accurate in proving that someone doesn't have Coeliac disease.

Why don't you contact the Coeliac society and get them to recommend a GP in you local area who knows about Coeliac disease. I've done that in the past and they were able to give me a fee good recommendations.

My sister recently had the gene testing done by my GP and it didn't cost her anything. I think the issue is that your GP doesn't believe it is warranted. I agree with the suggestion that you should find a more supportive GP. Do you have a family history of celiac or gluten sensitivity, or any other particular reasons for suspecting celiac? Have you had the regular antigliadin antibody testing done yet? You shouldn't have a problem getting medicare to cover the gene studies if you have a particular reason for suspecting celiac.

There are a few Aussies here, so if you are happy to why not post the general area you live in and someone might be able to recommend a GP they are happy with. I'm in Sydney if it's any use.

Good luck :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. lil-oly
      - lil-oly replied to Jmartes71's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten tester

      Hey there, have you been tested for allergies? You may not only have celiac disease but be allergic. I have celiac disease and am allergic to Barley, wheat and rye.
    2. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thanks so much!
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae. Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins. Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells. The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four...
    4. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician? Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies? Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia? Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      @JudyLou, I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too! And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis! Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health. You're correct. dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,155
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Beccad611
    Newest Member
    Beccad611
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • lil-oly
      Gluten tester

      By lil-oly · Posted

      Hey there, have you been tested for allergies? You may not only have celiac disease but be allergic. I have celiac disease and am allergic to Barley, wheat and rye. 
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thanks so much! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae.  Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins.  Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells.  The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four to forty-eight hours.  Those "normal limits" are based on minimum amounts required to prevent disease, not levels for optimal health.   Keep us posted on your progress.   B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9662251/ Association of dietary niacin intake with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women in the US: NHANES 2007–2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835798/ Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/   Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398893/ Nutritional Consequences of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/15/4/61 Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9609401/
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @JudyLou,  I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too!  And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis!   Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health.   You're correct.  dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form where clothing puts pressure on the skin. Elastic waist bands, bulky seams on clothing, watch bands, hats.  Rolled up sleeves or my purse hanging on my arm would make me break out on the insides of my elbows.  I have had a blister on my finger where my pen rested as I write.  Foods high in Iodine can cause an outbreak and exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. You've been on the gluten free diet for a long time.  Our gluten free diet can be low in vitamins and minerals, especially if processed gluten free foods are consumed.  Those aren't fortified with vitamins like gluten containing products are.  Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, medicine, or vitamins? Niacin deficiency is connected to anemia.  Anemia can cause false negatives on tTg IgA tests.  A person can be on that borderline where symptoms wax and wane for years, surviving, but not thriving.  We have a higher metabolic need for more nutrients when we're sick or emotionally stressed which can deplete the small amount of vitamins we can store in our bodies and symptoms reappear.   Exposure to gluten (and casein in those sensitive to it) can cause an increased immune response and inflammation for months afterwards. The immune cells that make tTg IgA antibodies which are triggered today are going to live for about two years. During that time, inflammation is heightened.  Those immune cells only replicate when triggered.  If those immune cells don't get triggered again for about two years, they die without leaving any descendents programmed to trigger on gluten and casein.  The immune system forgets gluten and casein need to be attacked.  The Celiac genes turn off.  This is remission.    Some people in remission report being able to consume gluten again without consequence.   However, another triggering event can turn the Celiac genes on again.   Celiac genes are turned on by a triggering event (physical or emotional stress).  There's some evidence that thiamine insufficiency contributes to the turning on of autoimmune genes.  There is an increased biological need for thiamine when we are physically or emotionally stressed.  Thiamine cannot be stored for more than twenty-one days and may be depleted in as little as three during physical and emotional stresses. Mitochondria without sufficient thiamine become damaged and don't function properly.  This gets relayed to the genes and autoimmune disease genes turn on.  Thiamine and other B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed to replace the dysfunctional mitochondria and repair the damage to the body.   I recommend getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  More than just Vitamin D and B12.  A gluten challenge would definitely be a stressor capable of precipitating further vitamin deficiencies and health consequences.   Best wishes!    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.