Celiac (Gluten) Disease Panel | Celiac Antibody Testing

What

The Celiac Disease Initial Screen Panel checks for celiac disease antibodies tTG-IgA and IgA.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of sample to be collected:
Blood (venipuncture—a needle is used to draw blood from a vein)

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of our Patient Service Centers.

About the Test

The Celiac Disease Initial Screen Panel can help you 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.

How do I know if this test is right for me?

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, joint symptoms, or anemia
You have unexplained weight loss

This test may not be right for you if:

You are on a gluten-free diet
You are on a gluten-free diet do not introduce gluten into your diet before talking to your healthcare provider

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

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 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.

For accurate results, your diet should include gluten at the time of testing. The lack of gluten in your diet could cause negative results, even if you have celiac disease. Test results may also vary based on sex, age, medical history, and other factors. It’s important to discuss your results with a healthcare provider to understand what such results mean in your specific case.

The symptoms of celiac disease can include:

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

The Celiac Disease Initial Screen Panel is for anyone who wants to determine if they have antibodies associated with celiac disease, tTG-IgA and IgA. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.

For accurate results, your diet should include gluten prior to testing. This test does not require fasting.

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 expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

Over 2000+ locations focus on your safety, confidentiality and convenience.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

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Take control of your health

Conveniently shop and pay online for lab tests without a doctor's visit. An independent physician will review your request and if appropriate, confirm your order and offer oversight.

Schedule and manage your appointments

Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

Get your results online

View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

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?

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.

Celiac (Gluten) Disease Test Panel

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