Help determine whether you have antibodies associated with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks itself with its own antibodies. In individuals with celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) triggers an immune response that attacks your small intestine. This panel checks for certain celiac antibodies—transglutaminase IgA (tTG IgA) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA)—that your immune system would create if you have celiac disease. This test is the initial screen to determine if further testing is required.
PLEASE NOTE
This test will not provide a diagnosis of celiac disease. Abnormal tTG IgA and total IgA values should be discussed with your physician to decide what additional testing is required for a celiac disease diagnosis. For accurate results, your diet should include gluten at the time of testing. The test may also be used to monitor antibodies after a doctor-prescribed gluten-free diet.
What is tested?
Our Celiac Disease Initial Screen Panel detects the presence of celiac antibodies, tTG-IgA and IgA, in the blood. tTG is an enzyme found in the small intestines that helps cells and tissues maintain their structure. It is released from cells during inflammation. In celiac disease, the body produces tTG-IgA antibodies when the immune system is triggered by the consumption of gluten, a protein that is found in rye, wheat, and barley. Celiac disease may cause the body to mistakenly attack the lining of the small intestine, impairing the ability to properly absorb nutrients. This can lead to various symptoms. It may take weeks or years for the symptoms to appear, so the disease is hard to recognize and diagnose.
IgA is measured because an estimated 2% to 3% of celiac disease patients are also IgA deficient. IgA is an antibody produced by your body's immune system to help fight against infection. It is primarily found in the mucus of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. An IgA deficiency, a condition that is associated with celiac disease, may result in a false-negative tTG-IgA test. Combining both tests helps to verify whether enough of the tTG-IgA antibody was produced to ensure accuracy of celiac disease testing.
Signs and Symptoms
Eligibility
You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.
Preparing For Your Test
For accurate results, your diet should include gluten prior to testing. The lack of gluten in your diet could cause negative results, even if you have celiac disease. This test does not require fasting.
After The Test
When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. If your results differ from the expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.
