Has a family member  been diagnosed, and they’re urging you to get checked out? The idea of having an autoimmune disease is distressing enough. The thought of taking the steps to found out for sure may seem daunting. It’s not a surprise. There are a lot of competing voices out there.

Take a deep breath. I’ll share a bit of my own journey, facts from trustworthy organizations, and try to help you figure out how to best navigate your concerns on being tested for Celiac Disease.

1. Don’t Change Your Diet Before Antibody Testing

I’ve heard so many heart breaking stories of people who’ve stopped eating gluten prior to being tested for Celiac Disease. Maybe they did it on their own because they wanted to feel better. Maybe a doctor told them to stop prior to testing. DON’T DO IT! All of the accurate testing methods we have to date require the consumption of gluten.

Wheat Allergy vs. Celiac Disease. Vs. Gluten Sensitivity

Maybe you’re thinking, “If I feel better eating gluten-free, what’s the difference?” There’s a lot of difference, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. There are three medical issues linked to wheat (wheat allergy, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) that are distinctly different and require different treatments. Celiac Disease has many associated health issues, such as thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and other intestinal issues. It is important to have an accurate diagnosis to make sure you are getting proper follow-up care. Also, the term “gluten allergy” isn’t accurate.

What If It’s Actually Chron’s Disease?

In addition, Crohn’s Disease and Celiac Disease have many overlapping symptoms, and again require different treatments. (I actually know of a young man who was misdiagnosed for years with Celiac Disease when in fact he had Crohn’s. Not fun.) There are over 300 symptoms that are associated with Celiac Disease, which can make it difficult to diagnose. You owe it to yourself to know for certain!

My Doctor is Worthless / Refuses to Test Me

I know that there are plenty of not-so-great doctors out there. I’ve had my fair share. For those living in Michigan, I highly recommend the doctors at Michigan Medicine Celiac Disease Program. The Celiac Disease Foundation also provides a list on their website of doctors, dietitians and other medical professionals that they trust.

2. Ask Your Doctor to Run Some Blood Tests

A. Celiac Disease Antibody Panel

Doctors have tested for Celiac Disease through the years with a variety of blood work tests. As medical science gets better, so do the tests. As of today, the best test is “tTg-IgA”. This is short for Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies. It is highly accurate and is positive in 98% of those with Celiac Disease. It is also low in what we call “false positives.” This means that it will accurately come back negative in 95% of those who do NOT have Celiac Disease.

What About False Positives and False Negatives?

“There is a risk of a false positive especially for people with associated autoimmune disorders like Type 1 diabetes, chronic liver disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis and heart failure, who do not have celiac disease.“
Because there is some wiggle room, doctors SHOULD run these additional blood antibody tests-

Endomysial Antibodies (EMA), total serum IgA, and Deamidated Gliadin Protein (DGP)

Also please know, that as great as science is, it is still possible for lab tests to come back with a false negative. If you still feel awful, and especially if you have a family history of Celiac Disease, continue to consult with your doctor. Share this guide from the Celiac Disease Foundation if they seem unsure of what tests to run.

Antibody Testing in the Black Community

Recent research has shown that antibody testing in the Black community is not always accurate. A 2022 study showed that “Eighty percent of Black patients with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease in the registry had TTG test results that were less than the upper limit of normal, compared to about 9 percent of non-Hispanic white patients in the registry.” I urge my Black friends to test for an upper endoscopy, even if antibody testing doesn’t suggest Celiac Disease.

B. Genetic Testing

Scientists have now been able to decipher where the sequences of Celiac Disease reside on our genetic makeup. At this point, genetic testing can only be used to rule out Celiac Disease. Doctors state that if you do not test positive for HLA DQ-2 or HLA DQ-8, you cannot have Celiac Disease.

Unfortunately, simply having those genes don’t mean that you DO have Celiac Disease. A large portion of the population (30%) has those genes, but only 1% of the population develop the disease. Because of this, genetic testing CANNOT be used to diagnose Celiac Disease in those who have already stopped consuming gluten. 

3. Meet with a Skilled Gastroenterologist for an Upper Endoscopy

This is me getting ready for a follow-up endoscopy with my new gastroenterologist. A small bowel biopsy, via endoscopy, is the gold standard for being tested for Celiac Disease. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2001. Fast forward to 2017. My original gastroenterologist followed up only ONCE. He never scheduled follow-up antibody tests to make sure my body was healing. Neither did he check me for osteoporosis, thyroid or other issues. After a move 60 miles away, I decided it was time for a change.

My endoscopy was pretty easy. I didn’t need to drink any junk (that’s for a colonoscopy), and I had to not eat anything for about 10 hours prior to my procedure. Once I was in the procedure room, they were finished in less than 15 minutes. I was under complete anesthesia the whole time. I hear stories by some that weren’t under anesthesia, either because they didn’t want to be or their doctor was foolish.

What Exactly is an Endoscopy?

I’ll explain what an endoscopy is, as that seems it is what makes most people most anxious in being tested for Celiac Disease. During an endoscopy, they stick a small tube with a camera in it to visibly inspect your esophagus, stomach and the duodenum (top part of the intestines.) They also take small bits of tissue, called a biopsy. Tiny, tiny bits of tissue. Small, barely there bits that go under a microscope. These bits are tested and inspected for damaged villi, which are responsible for absorbing our nutrients. This video is great for children who are anxious about underoing an endoscopy.

How Many Samples Should My Doctor Take?

Make sure that your gastroenterologist is taking at least 6 samples from various places in the duodenum. One sample is not enough to make a definitive diagnosis. Celiac Disease can affect one patch of the intestines and not another. More samples are always better. This medical standard in Celiac Disease testing is better explained in the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center’s explanation of an endoscopsic biopsy.

There may be a day in the future when we will  have less invasive ways to diagnose Celiac Disease. But until then, I will personally still advocate for an biopsy via endoscopy. During the biopsy, doctors might notice items of additional concern. For example, my follow-up endoscopy revealed a hiatal hernia.

4. Meet with an Educated Dietitian and Other Resources

So you’ve been poked, prodded, tested and inspected. You’ve been tested for Celiac Disease and the results are positive. Now what on earth do you do? It’s not as simple as “just take gluten out of your diet.” I mean, that’s what we need to do, but it’s a big learning process. What is gluten? Where does it hide? What other nutritional deficiencies should I be concerned about? Can I ever eat pizza again?

Step 1 After Diagnosis – Find a Knowledgeable Dietitian

This is where a good dietitian who is versed in Celiac Disease is a good place to start. I would again use the CDF provider directory to find one a knowledgeable dietitian. Remember, dietitians have to learn A LOT in school, and some may not be well versed in Celiac Disease. I know Gluten Free Watchdog has offered, in the past, to help people find a good dietitian.

Step 2 – Develop a Support System

I always recommend finding a local Celiac Disease support group. You can find some in my list of local and national resources.  Many groups have a dietitian who advises their group as well. They are also the people who have been navigating and living with this disease everyday They are the ones who have walked in the shoes that you now find yourself in. They know the emotional side of Celiac Disease.

There are lots of good online resources for those of us who are newly diagnosed. The Gluten Intolerance Group, the Celiac Disease Foundation, and Beyond Celiac are all organizations devoted to helping those with Celiac Disease. They all excel at certain aspects of Celiac Disease management. The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center is an excellent resource as well. Their “FAQ” section is the biggest searchable question database I’ve ever seen. The offer a free E-book to help you “Jump Start” your gluten-free lifestyle.

Be Careful of Who You Follow Online

There are lots of self proclaimed experts online. Make sure that whomever you are following is providing sound medical advice. While I usually don’t “call out” pages I disagree with, I have reservations about Celiac.com and the Gluten Free Society. The first, as explained by Gluten Dude, has lost its credibilty. The second has always been about making money, and promotes unsound medical advice. Just remember, if someone is spouting something too good to be true, it likely is.

Hopefully I’ve given you some information that’s been helpful in regards to being tested for Celiac Disease. I will state clearly that I’m not a doctor, dietitian, nurse or “certified” medical professional. I am a previous Celiac Disease support group chair and a Celiac Disease advocate. I’m a fellow “gluten free gal,” whose been diagnosed with Celiac Disease for over 20 years.

I’m walking this journey with you, every step of the way.

How were you diagnosed with Celiac Disease? What part was most concerning for you? What insights can you share with those who are about to be tested for Celiac Disease? Please share your thoughts below!

Originally published 2018

The post How to Get Tested for Celiac Disease, Accurately appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Follow Up Medical Tests

Your Celiac Disease care doesn’t stop after your initial diagnosis. While methods for diagnosing Celiac are standard, follow up care is no. Doctors from ESPGHAN published guidelines on follow up testing in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. Suggestions for proper follow-up care include:

Visit the Celiac Disease Foundation for printable pediatric and adult follow up care checklists.

Meet with a Registered Dietitian

In addition to lab work, it is highly suggested that you meet with a certified registered dietitian. Specifically one who is knowledgeable about Celiac Disease. (In Michigan, I would suggest the many dietitians connected with the Michigan Medicine Celiac Disease Program.) This is especially necessary if you have other health issues such as diabetes, kidney problems, or other health issues that are impacted by diet.

Also, please make sure you see a registered dietitian. Not a nutritionist. Not a health coach. As Houston Family Nutrition points out, there is a big difference between and RD and a “nutritionist.”

Nutrients, Flour and Fortification

Many people, at diagnosis, tend to exhibit vitamin deficiencies. such as zinc, iron and folate. As Celiac Disease affects our ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, it’s important that we eat mindfully to incorporate a diet that meets our body’s needs. While multivitamins are good, your body will process and absorb nutrients better from whole foods than it will from supplements.

Whole grains contain B vitamins regulate many aspects of our health, including our metabolism and sleep cycles. Good examples are whole grain teff, quinoa and even whole grain corn. Eating these are key as many gluten-free packaged items are not fortified with vitamins and minerals like non-gf items counterparts.

A Word on Fiber

Fiber and water are other important factors to our health. Both help in digestion and intestinal health. I personally suggest having a 1/2 cup of beans (pinto, kidney, chickpea. etc) per day. They’re great on salads and in soups. Because most gluten free goods are made from highly refined flour, many with celiac disease do not consume the amount of fiber suggested. We should be consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day.

Probiotics

A word about probiotics. Probiotics help establish healthy levels of the good bacteria in your gut. It’s frequently referred to as the microbiome. Research is still being done on the effectiveness of supplemental probiotics in treating gastrointestinal issues. The body utilizes probiotics from foods better than from pills, as well.

My gastroenterologist suggests drinking kefir daily and/or eating yogurt. These both naturally contain probiotics, as do other fermented foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut. Kombucha, miso and tempeh also contain natural probiotics. How often should you be eating probiotic foods? No one knows that yet.

Recovering from Gluten Ingestion

What do you do if you accidentally ingest gluten? How do you take care of that not-so-fun situation? In most cases, it does not require a trip to the doctor or emergency room. As I explained earlier, Celiac Disease is tied to over 200 symptoms, and we can all experience them with different degrees of severity.

Usually the most pressing issue is the gastrointestinal symptoms, because none of us want to be in the bathroom all day. Taking Miralax or Colace for constipation helps, as well as Gas-X for painful bloating. Sometimes the best thing is simply plenty of rest, lots of fluids and a bland diet until you feel better.

Mental and Emotional Care

Celiac Disease impacts more than just our body. It places a toll on our mental health as well. Beyond Celiac states that those with Celiac Disease are 1.8x more likely to develop depression.  I’ve personally experienced panic attacks, and it’s not fun. These issues should be addressed by a mental health professional. Michigan Medicine’s Celiac Disease Program keeps two psychologists on staff to help patients with these issues.

A big issue with Celiac Disease the is psycho-social component. Dating can be an issue when we have to explain why we can only eat at certain restaurants. What do you do when the person you want to kiss has just eaten a big piece of crusty French bread? Do you ask them to brush their teeth before kissing you? (You actually should. I will admit that I don’t always remember to make my husband do so.)

Finding Local Support

I also recommend joining a local support group, if you can find one. Meeting with other people who have walked the same path you are now in is vital. You can ask questions, learn new recipes, and often learn from speakers who are experts on Celiac Disease and related issues. Visit this list of local and national resources for more info.

The Ohio group organizes a yearly Celiac Disease Conference at Nationwide Children’s hospital. There are lots of ways we can help “pay things forward.”

Conclusion: You Deserve Excellent Follow Up Care

Celiac Disease is a serious condition, with many associated health issues. You deserve to find doctors and medical support staff that listen to your concerns and stay on top of your health. This includes your primary care physician, gastroenterologist, dietitians and more.

We are always our own best advocate. Don’t be afraid to speak up for proper follow up testing, such as tTg antibody testing, Vitamin D levels and thyroid – related labs. And if they won’t listen, keep searching until you find one who does. The Celiac Disease Foundation has a “find a healthcare practioner” portal that may help.

Learn More About Celiac Disease

This post is third in a series for those newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease. My first, Why Celiac Disease Makes Food Your Enemy, explains what Celiac Disease is and isn’t. The second, “Gluten Free Defined,” explains what foods do and do not contain gluten. The fourth installment, Eating outside of the home and other resources, helps you step through your diagnosis and into living the rest of your life with this disease. I hope you find them helpful!

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