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How is Celiac Disease diagnosed?

See how Celiac Disease is diagnosed. Which specialists are essential to meet, what tests are needed and other useful information for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease diagnosis

How is Celiac Disease diagnosed?


Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine and is triggered by the consumption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is important to diagnose celiac disease early to prevent complications and manage the condition effectively. The diagnosis of celiac disease involves several steps, including medical history evaluation, physical examination, and specific tests.



Medical History Evaluation


The first step in diagnosing celiac disease is a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical history. The healthcare provider will ask about symptoms, family history of celiac disease, and any previous testing or treatments. It is crucial to provide accurate information about symptoms, as celiac disease can present with a wide range of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptoms.



Physical Examination


After the medical history evaluation, a physical examination is conducted. The healthcare provider will assess the patient's overall health, looking for signs and symptoms that may indicate celiac disease. Physical examination findings alone are not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis, but they can provide valuable clues.



Specific Tests


The gold standard for diagnosing celiac disease is a combination of specific tests, including serology tests and a confirmatory intestinal biopsy.



Serology Tests


Serology tests measure the levels of certain antibodies in the blood, which are typically elevated in individuals with celiac disease. The most commonly used serology tests are:




  • Anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies: This test is highly sensitive and specific for celiac disease. Elevated levels of tTG antibodies indicate an immune response to gluten.

  • Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA): EMA antibodies are highly specific for celiac disease. Their presence suggests an autoimmune reaction to gluten.

  • Deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) antibodies: DGP antibodies are another marker of celiac disease. They are particularly useful in cases where tTG antibody levels are borderline.



If the serology tests indicate a high likelihood of celiac disease, further confirmation is required through an intestinal biopsy.



Intestinal Biopsy


An intestinal biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing celiac disease. It involves the collection of small tissue samples from the lining of the small intestine. The procedure is typically performed during an upper endoscopy, where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and into the small intestine.



The collected tissue samples are then examined under a microscope to look for characteristic changes associated with celiac disease, such as villous atrophy, increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, and crypt hyperplasia. These changes confirm the presence of celiac disease and help differentiate it from other conditions with similar symptoms.



Genetic Testing


In some cases, genetic testing may be recommended to support the diagnosis of celiac disease. The presence of specific genetic markers, such as HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing celiac disease. However, it is important to note that genetic testing alone cannot diagnose celiac disease, as many individuals with these genetic markers do not develop the condition.



Gluten Challenge


In certain situations, when the initial tests are inconclusive or the patient has already started a gluten-free diet, a gluten challenge may be recommended. This involves reintroducing gluten into the diet for a specific period, followed by repeat serology tests and an intestinal biopsy. The gluten challenge helps to assess the patient's response to gluten and confirm the diagnosis.



In conclusion, diagnosing celiac disease involves a comprehensive evaluation of medical history, physical examination, serology tests, intestinal biopsy, and sometimes genetic testing. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of celiac disease.


Diseasemaps
34 answers
Blood test and endoscopy are the "gold standard" for confirmed diagnosis.

Posted May 8, 2017 by JJHK 1050
Biopsy

Posted May 9, 2017 by Sara 600
Celiac disease or celiac disease is diagnosed by checking the corresponding values with blood tests and then submitting to gastroscopy with picking and analyzing the intestinal wildlife, it really determines the disease.

Posted May 9, 2017 by Marecello 400
Antibodies from blood and gastroscopy

Posted May 27, 2017 by Lucy Baudysova 2440
Celiac disease is diagnosed through blood work followed by a biopsy of the small intestine through an endoscopy.

Posted May 31, 2017 by FlorenceK 2545
Coeliac disease is initially diagnosed with a blood test. It's then confirmed with biopsy taken via a upper g.i. colonoscopy

Posted Sep 4, 2017 by Emyr 2500
Initially with a blood test to confirm suspicion, small bowel biopsy necessary for confirmation.

Posted Sep 4, 2017 by Kayla 400
First a blood test is taken to test for specific antibodies then a biopsy is taken of the small intestine to check for damage of the villi (tiny protrusions lining the wall of the gut that absorb nutrients from food)

Posted Sep 11, 2017 by Eamon 2500
Depending on your doctor and/or gastroenterologist, a celiac panel blood tests and/or an endoscopy may be needed.

Posted Sep 12, 2017 by JJinPA 2070
The gold standar diagnosis is through: HLA-DQ2 and DQ8, Antibodies TtG-IgA/IgG, Antiendomysium IgA/IgA, Antigliadin, Duoden biopsy using Marsh Scale.

Posted Sep 16, 2017 by Leo Borne 450
Your primary care doctor can order a simple blood work. If the tests look positive it is best to be sent to a gastrologist to do an Endo and a Colonoscopy. A rheumatologist can also diagnose it as well.

Posted Nov 11, 2017 by Stephanie 2690
with blood tests and biopsy

Posted Jan 28, 2019 by Iveta 4700
A gastroenterologist can diagnose via an upper GI endoscopy with biopsies in the small intestine. More and more, blood antibody tests for celiac are very reliable - both tests should be done when you are actively eating gluten

Posted Jun 21, 2019 by mcbphd1 2500
Translated from spanish Improve translation
To diagnose celiac disease is that made a few blood tests and a gastroscopy with biopsies. The analysis specifically to see a few antibodies that come out positive in a high percentage of celiac patients, but the definitive test and that confirms the diagnosis of celiac disease is the gastroscopy.

There are celiacs who are antibody negative and those with antibody positive who do not have intestinal damage, so the biopsy is the conclusive evidence.

There are also genetic tests that you see the susceptibility to be celiac.

Posted Feb 23, 2017 by Ana 1111
Translated from spanish Improve translation
Specialist Digestive or Gastroenterologist (best). Analytical of Antibodies (tissue Transglutaminase, Antiendomisio and anti-gliadin) and if it is greater than 5-6 years and is negative, repeat Antibody, and of which, genetic to see if it has any chance of developing the disease, and finally, and if the genetic is positive, biopsy if you have symptoms (typical or atypical) and/or associated diseases.
The biopsy well-done, please, two samples of the bulb and 4 of part duodenum-jejunum. Doing a count of LIES and being able to count to 3 villi complete and the 3 crypts....In order to....

Posted Feb 23, 2017 by Merche 1187
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
Examen de sangue e endoscopy

Posted Mar 29, 2017 by Renato 1260
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
The biopsy is essential to diagnose celiac disease. But furthermore, screening of reagents and mapping of genes can also help.

Posted Mar 30, 2017 by nessarrpp 1050
Translated from french Improve translation
First, a serological test (antibodies to transglutaminase and anti-gliadin) and then a gastroendoscopie with biopsy of the duodenum to check for the presence of villous atrophy.
A gastro-enterologue follows the sick.

Posted May 26, 2017 by Mathilde 1170
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
The blood test Iga, biopsy of the duodenum

Posted May 29, 2017 by Claudecir 1140
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
Through the laboratory tests that will check for vitamin deficiency and if the immune system is reagent, at the same time is required an endoscopy to check for villi of the intestine. Eventually other tests are ordered to rule out other diseases.

Posted May 30, 2017 by Gheysa 490
Translated from spanish Improve translation
This is normally diagnosed with a blood test first (to request your family doctor) and after, if you give clearly positive or suspect, with a gastroscopy with intestinal biopsy (as requested by the specialist of digestive). This by far is the diagnostic method most reliable. Now there are analysis of food intolerances which make you with only a drop of blood in private clinics for a "reasonable" price, but that in reality are not as reliable as gastroscopy with biopsy.

Posted Aug 30, 2017 by Vanesa 1500
Translated from spanish Improve translation
Genetics, antibodies, and biopsy.
The specialist is usually the digestive.

Posted Aug 30, 2017 by Vanessa 500
Translated from spanish Improve translation
Celiac disease can be diagnosed in different ways, by means of a blood test, by means of nail endoscopy by performing a biopsy of the small intestine, by means of an examination of genetics.
When the blood test is positive but there are serious suspicions that the patient may be a celiac, there are other studies like the biopsy to give a diagnosis, you'll see.

Posted Aug 30, 2017 by Liliana Rascon Estrada 900
Translated from spanish Improve translation
The specialist that should be consulted is the Gastroenterologo, the steps that must follow are, analysis of blood, giving a positive biopsy was performed of the large intestine, the latter is what confirms the disease, as it shows if there is damage in the gut; as without damage in the gut we would not be in front of a person celiac, but before someone who is intolerant to gluten. To diagnose someone as a celiac has to have the villi of the small intestine stunted (shortened or null)

Posted Sep 4, 2017 by Mónica 1900
Translated from spanish Improve translation
Well, I think that have changed recently
To my I was diagnosed with 16 months and it was through biopsy

Posted Sep 7, 2017 by Elena 1600
Translated from french Improve translation
By a review séroligique and biopsy

Posted Sep 14, 2017 by Karima 5050
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
Are needed some blood tests and also a biopsy

Posted Sep 18, 2017 by Adriele 1000
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
The first of a blood test measuring Iga in the immune system, if positive a biopsy of the intestine.

Posted Oct 3, 2017 by Cristina 1000
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
Analysis and biopsy of duodenum

Posted Oct 3, 2017 by Claudia 1100
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
By means of serologic (anti-transglutaminase, anti-endomysium) and biopsy (gold standard).

Posted Oct 23, 2017 by Giulia 2550
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
Endoscopy with biopsy and blood test

Posted Oct 24, 2017 by Daniela 400
Translated from portuguese Improve translation
Through biopsy sample of the small intestine and examinations genetic mapping genetically if the disease is “intended or is active” as DQ2 and DQ8

Posted Oct 30, 2017 by Andreia l C cernach 1000
Translated from spanish Improve translation
the disease is diagnosed with a blood test to detect the antibodies that are activated by the presence of gluten tissue transglutaminase type IgA, it calls for IgG. The examense complemented by an endoscopy with biopsy of the duodenum to see the damage caused in the intestine. The specialist that sees this, is the gastroenterologist.

Posted Nov 2, 2017 by danay 2850

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