Celiac Disease Antibody (Gluten) Test Panel

$119.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

HSA/FSA Accepted

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine, which can lead to ongoing digestive symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, unexplained anemia, or other symptoms in the body. This blood test screens for antibodies associated with celiac disease. Read more

Test For: Ages 13-17

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Many digestive symptoms can have similar causes, so it can be hard to determine what's behind ongoing discomfort. This test looks for antibodies associated with the autoimmune disorder, celiac disease. In individuals with celiac disease, eating gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) triggers an immune response that may cause the body to mistakenly attack the lining of the small intestine, causing damage and impairing the ability to properly absorb nutrients. This can cause people to suffer from one or more of the 200 symptoms of celiac disease which are known to occur in the digestive system or other parts of the body. Some people may have no symptoms at all, making it difficult to diagnose.¹ It may take weeks or years for the symptoms to appear, so the disease is hard to recognize and diagnose.

This panel will always check for 2 antibodies—transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) and immunoglobulin A (IgA)—that your immune system would create if you have celiac disease. Total IgA is not a celiac-specific antibody but can help a healthcare provider determine a celiac disease diagnosis. If either of these antibodies are out of range, additional testing will automatically be performed on the sample already provided to help complete a more thorough evaluation of celiac-related blood markers (see What is reflex testing? section below).

Please note: This test will not provide a diagnosis of celiac disease. Abnormal antibody values should be discussed with your physician to decide what additional testing is required for a celiac disease diagnosis.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this celiac disease test and visit a nearby Quest location.

Sample type: Blood
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Test type: In Person

This test may be right for you if:

You have digestive problems including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or foul-smelling stool
You have unexplained rash or joint symptoms
Have unexplained iron deficiency or anemia
Have a family history of celiac disease²
Have another autoimmune condition that increases the risk for celiac disease
You have unexplained weight loss

This test may not be right for you if you are experiencing severe symptoms (see Signs & symptoms section below).

This panel detects the presence of antibodies typically found in the blood of people with celiac disease. Every specimen is tested for tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA and total immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies. Certain specimens will reflex to additional testing for endomysial (EMA) IgA, tTG-IgG and/or deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) IgG antibodies. Reflex testing will be conducted on the sample already provided at no additional cost to you (see What is reflex testing? section below for specific reflex details). Read below for more in-depth details on each antibody.

tTG is an enzyme found in the small intestines that helps cells and tissues repair and maintain their structure. In celiac disease, the immune system is triggered by consumption of gluten (a protein that is found in rye, wheat, and barley) and the body produces antibodies that mistakenly attack cells instead of repairing them. This leads to a damaged digestive tract that cannot absorb nutrients properly. Both IgG and IgA antibodies to tTG exist, but tTG-IgA antibodies are the most common antibodies found in people with celiac disease. tTG-IgG antibodies are usually only tested in people who are IgA deficient and have a (false) negative tTG-IgA test. Specimens that are positive for tTG-IgA will be tested further for endomysial antibody (EMA) IgA antibodies.

IgA is an antibody produced by your body's immune system to help fight against infection. It is not specifically related to celiac disease and is primarily found in the mucus of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. IgA is measured because an estimated 2-3% of celiac disease patients are also IgA deficient. A low total IgA level could mean a person has an IgA deficiency which could result in a false-negative tTG-IgA test. An abnormal IgA result will trigger additional reflex testing for tTG-IgG and deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) IgG antibodies (see What is reflex testing? section below).

Gliadin is a major component of gluten. When exposed to a gut enzyme, these proteins become "deamidated" (meaning a tiny part of the protein breaks off) in people with celiac disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks these altered gluten fragments, creating DGP-IgG antibodies. Measuring these antibodies can help diagnose celiac disease when total IgA-based testing may be less reliable.

Endomysial antibodies (EMA) are produced by the immune system in response to gluten. They specifically target the endomysium, the connective tissue that covers muscle fibers. The presence of EMA-IgA antibodies is a highly specific marker for celiac disease. These antibodies are only tested if tTG-IgA antibody levels are positive.

Although some people with celiac disease have no noticeable symptoms, many experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Diarrhea or constipation
Unintentional weight loss
Bloating and gas
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Intensely itchy rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
Fatigue
Bone or joint pain
Arthritis
Anemia
Easy bruising and bleeding
Bone loss (osteoporosis or osteopenia)
Depression or anxiety
Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet
Migraines

If you experience these more severe symptoms, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION:

Blood in your stool or a medical condition requiring immediate medical attention
Fever, night sweats, or flushing

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on patients between 13 and 100 years old. If this test will be performed on someone less than 18 years old:

The appropriate age bracket needs to be selected during purchase
Both parent/guardian (hereinafter "parent") and patient information will need to be provided during test registration
Both parent and patient must be present for sample collection, the parent will need to have their identification available at collection
Results will be provided to the listed parent

Sample collection: This test requires sample collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile® where available, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection is not available in AZ, HI, or PR.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, testing may not be available in all locations. Quest Mobile is currently only available for individuals ages 18+.

Please note: Laboratory testing for children under 18 years of age should always be conducted with the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Our tests are designed to support continuity of care, ease of access, and empower families with accessible health information. They are not a substitute for medical evaluation or ongoing care from a pediatrician. Parents should review test results with their child's healthcare provider to ensure appropriate interpretation, follow-up, and treatment in the context of the rest of your child's care. If your child is experiencing symptoms or you have concerns about their health, please contact your pediatrician or seek other medical care immediately.

This test is primarily used as an initial assessment for celiac disease; however, it may also be used after a diagnosis to monitor the reduction in antibodies over time.

For initial assessment, and on the condition that your healthcare provider has not advised that you should be on a gluten-free diet, it is important that your diet contains gluten at the time of testing in order to gain an accurate reading of antibody levels.

After a gluten-free diet has been adopted, your body will naturally reduce antibody levels as the trigger that was causing your immune response is no longer present. In this phase, this test may also be used to ensure antibody levels are declining as predicted, which indicates that your diet adjustments are helping.

Results are typically available within 3-5 business days of providing your sample—this includes sample processing, testing, and a clinical review before release.

You will receive a secure link to your email when your results are ready. If this test is performed on someone less than 18 years old, the results will be provided to the registered parent. They will be available in a clear, easy-to-read report. If you have, or create, a MyQuest® account, your results may also be available there—and for larger panel tests, you may be able to see individual results as each becomes available.

You may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator if some of your test results are outside of the expected ranges. Included with your purchase, you have the ability to talk to an independent healthcare provider who can walk you through test results, address any questions or concerns you have, and help you think through next steps.

If your initial celiac disease-related antibodies are abnormal, the lab will perform additional testing on the sample you have already provided at no extra cost to you. This additional testing can provide even more diagnostic information to help with care. The type of additional reflex testing depends on what antibodies were abnormal.

If your tTG-IgA test is positive, an endomysial screen test will be performed to check for the presence of EMA-IgA antibodies. If the endomysial screen test is positive, one additional titer test will be completed to measure how concentrated the antibodies are in your blood.

If your immunoglobulin A level results are low, tTG-IgG and DGP-IgG antibody levels will automatically be tested to provide more information for you to discuss with your healthcare provider.

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Please note: Quest Mobile is currently only available for individuals ages 18+.

Quest's allergy panels help identify food allergies, not intolerance. Food allergies and intolerances can present similar symptoms, but knowing the difference matters. Read the article to learn more.

FAQs

What is celiac disease?

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues and organs. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that appears to cluster in families and is triggered by gluten consumption; however, some with a genetic predisposition will not develop the disease. Genetic risk is just one of multiple factors that may result in celiac disease. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten-containing products, their immune system responds abnormally, causing damage to the tiny, finger-like projections that line the small intestine (villi), which play a crucial role in absorbing nutrients.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a complex protein mixture composed primarily of gliadin and glutenin that appears naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, gives dough its elastic texture, and acts as a thickener or stabilizer. While some gluten-containing items are easy to identify, some may be found in unexpected places, such as cough syrups, soy sauce, and seasonings. Can someone outgrow celiac disease? No, celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that cannot be outgrown and is a lifelong condition.

Is there a cure for celiac disease?

Currently, there is no known cure for celiac disease. For most people, adhering to a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms, promote intestinal healing, and prevent further damage in the small intestine.

Are celiac disease and gluten intolerance the same?

No. Celiac disease isn't the same as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity. Although individuals with gluten intolerance may exhibit some of the same symptoms as those with celiac disease and may wish to avoid gluten, they do not experience an autoimmune response or the small intestine damage seen in those individuals with celiac disease.

Are having a wheat allergy and being gluten intolerant the same?

No. While you may experience similar symptoms with both, they are different. Having an allergy usually occurs because your immune system is reacting to something you eat or drink and can affect multiple parts of the body (ie, swelling, rashes, etc.). An intolerance occurs when your body has a non-allergic reaction to something you eat or drink and usually only affects your digestive system.

Why is this test only available for children 13 years of age or older?

Quest has worked with independent physicians to define appropriate age eligibility ranges for each test. These ranges ensure that our offerings are medically responsible and suitable for self-directed use. We plan to review age eligibility for our tests over time as more data and guidance becomes available.

What's the difference between this Celiac Disease Antibody (Gluten) Test Panel and the GlutenID™ Celiac Genetic Health Risk Home Collection Kit?

Both tests provide valuable information, but they answer different questions. The Celiac Disease Antibody (Gluten) Test Panel (this test) looks for antibodies in your blood that your immune system may produce in response to gluten. It can help evaluate whether you may have an immune response consistent with celiac disease and is generally used when someone has symptoms or is currently eating a gluten-containing diet.

The GlutenID™ Celiac Genetic Health Risk Home Collection Kit looks for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes associated with celiac disease. Having one or both genes does not mean you have celiac disease, but people without these genes are very unlikely to develop the condition. Because your genes do not change over time, this test only needs to be performed once.

Can this test diagnose celiac disease?

No. This test screens for antibodies associated with celiac disease. Abnormal results should be reviewed with your healthcare provider, who may recommend additional testing to confirm a diagnosis.

Should I stop eating gluten before testing?

It depends. Removing gluten before testing can affect results. Depending on whether you have a confirmed celiac disease diagnosis or are taking this test as an initial step towards diagnosis, preparation will differ. Refer to the Preparing for my sample collection section above.

Can I have celiac disease with few or no symptoms?

Yes. Some people have mild symptoms or symptoms outside the digestive tract, while others have no noticeable symptoms despite intestinal damage.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Are tests purchased from questhealth.com covered by my health insurance?

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are intended for individuals paying directly—we do not bill insurance, and purchases cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement.

If your doctor ordered a lab test for you and you are looking to book an appointment for sample collection, you can schedule an appointment here https://appointment.questdiagnostics.com/as-home.

For other questions related to a lab test your doctor ordered for you, including billing and results, you can visit the main Quest Diagnostics site here https://www.questdiagnostics.com.

Our references

Celiac Disease Foundation. Symptoms of Celiac Disease. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/symptoms-of-celiac-disease/
Celiac Disease Foundation. Testing. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/screening-and-diagnosis/screening/
Cleveland Clinic. Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Test. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/ttg-iga-test
Mayo Clinic. Celiac disease – Symptoms and causes. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352220

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Celiac Disease Antibody (Gluten) Test Panel