TakeChargeofYourDigestiveHealthwithaCoeliacDiseaseScreeningTest
If you’ve been experiencing uncomfortable symptoms after eating foods containing gluten, a coeliac disease screening test can help identify whether your symptoms may be due to coeliac disease - an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten.
Because your health matters.
Coeliac disease is not an allergy but an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, leading to the production of specific antibodies and damage to the lining of the small intestine. This can cause symptoms such as digestive discomfort, bloating, fatigue, headaches, and nutrient deficiencies.
Gluten intolerance, also known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, is a different condition. It can cause symptoms similar to coeliac disease, but it does not involve autoimmune reactions, intestinal damage, or the antibodies seen in coeliac disease, and there is currently no specific diagnostic test for it.
Map your digestive health today with a coeliac disease screening test to help uncover the possible cause of your symptoms. This test can be added to any of our full body health check packages. Explore our packages and book online today.
Fast, accurate results
Competitively priced testing within 20 minutes of your home
Detailed, personalised Results Report
Access to our 24/7 GP service with all test packages
How it works
1.
Select and book your package
View our health packages and book a full body private health check. All our individual tests can be added to any of our existing health packages. Just call our team on 0800 652 2183 before your appointment to add an extra test.
2.
Make an appointment
Choose the venue, date and time that suits you. With over 2000 appointments available nationwide every week, you're sure to find a convenient time, date and venue.
3.
Attend your appointment
A trained phlebotomist will carry out your assessment. The whole process only takes around 20 - 30 minutes.
4.
Fast, accurate results
Your results will be available 24/7 through our online dashboard, My Wellness. You will receive an email notification as soon as your results are ready for viewing. Processing times vary by test, with some results accessible on the dashboard in as little as three days. The online dashboard also provides easy access to a downloadable PDF, making it simple to share your results with your GP.
What is the difference between coeliac disease and gluten intolerance?
Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye. In some people, eating gluten can trigger digestive symptoms or discomfort.
Gluten intolerance, also known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, is sometimes confused with coeliac disease, but they are not the same condition. Gluten intolerance does not involve an allergic response or an autoimmune reaction, and there are currently no laboratory tests that can diagnose it. Instead, it is identified by excluding other conditions (including coeliac disease and wheat allergy) and assessing symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet.
Coeliac disease, by contrast, is not an allergy. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, producing specific antibodies and causing damage to the small intestine. People with gluten intolerance may experience similar symptoms, but they do not develop the intestinal damage or coeliac-specific antibodies (such as tTG-IgA) seen in coeliac disease.
Coeliac disease symptoms
Symptoms vary widely from person to person, but common symptoms of coeliac disease include:
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Nausea
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Bloating and gas
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Diarrhoea or constipation
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Fatigue or low energy
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Headaches
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Mouth ulcers
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Unexplained weight loss
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Abdominal pain or discomfort
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Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
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Joint pain
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Skin rashes (such as dermatitis herpetiformis)
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Mood changes such as irritability, low mood or anxiety
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Hair loss in some cases due to nutrient malabsorption
(Note: These symptoms are not specific to coeliac disease and can occur in many conditions. Testing is required to investigate further.)
What does the coeliac disease test involve?
The coeliac disease test measures levels of tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-IgA) in the blood. This test can help screen for coeliac disease, but it cannot diagnose gluten intolerance, as there is no specific test for that condition.
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High tTG-IgA levels may indicate coeliac disease. A positive result should be followed by referral for an endoscopy with small-bowel biopsy, which is the definitive diagnostic test for coeliac disease.
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Normal tTG-IgA levels do not rule out coeliac disease in all cases (e.g., IgA deficiency). Additional tests may be required.
Because gluten intolerance has no biomarker, a negative tTG result does not mean gluten intolerance is “highly likely.” Instead, if coeliac disease and wheat allergy are excluded, a clinician may suggest a structured gluten-free diet trial to assess whether symptoms improve.
Preparing for the test
You must continue eating gluten before the test. Removing gluten from your diet can lower antibody levels and may lead to false-negative results.
During the test
A blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. This method is more reliable than finger-prick tests. You may feel a brief scratching or pricking sensation as the needle is inserted. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Private health checks for complete peace of mind
Our full body private health checks are designed for busy people who want to take control of their health. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, no invasive procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.
Trained phlebotomists carry out all tests in over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, so you get accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home. Our private health checks include all the tests you need to take a proactive approach to monitoring and improving your health
Any individual tests can be added to any [full body health check]/packages). Just book one of our full body private health assessments and call us before your appointment to add an extra test.
FAQs
To prepare for the test, you must continue eating gluten. Going gluten-free before getting tested will affect your results because the test measures tTG antibodies that can only be produced in the body after consuming gluten.
If you have not eaten gluten for a long time and want to test for gluten allergy you need to reintroduce gluten into your diet for several weeks before testing.
A positive test result indicates that you have coeliac disease-associated antibodies. It is recommended that you seek advice from a doctor who may conduct further tests and take into account any symptoms that you have before making a definitive diagnosis.
If you choose the Core Health Assessment Package or the Complete Health Assessment Package along with your gluten allergy test, you will have free access to our 24/7 GP Helpline for one year.
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. People with coeliac disease have intestinal damage when they eat gluten. People who are gluten intolerant, while they may experience symptoms similar to those with coeliac disease, do not have the intestinal damage or antibodies found in those with coeliac disease.
There’s no cure for gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. But most people find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. Probiotics can increase the good bacteria in your gut and may help to reduce symptoms of digestive distress.
If you have gluten intolerance you may be able to tolerate small amounts of gluten in your diet occasionally. However, if you are diagnosed with coeliac disease it is important that you follow a strict gluten-free diet to avoid the intestinal damage that can occur with the disease.
All of our tests are carried out by trained phlebotomists in over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland. We only carry out in-person tests as this guarantees the accuracy of your test results and enables us to get your samples to the laboratory for testing quickly, therefore giving you results faster.
A negative test result indicates that it is very unlikely that you have coeliac disease. However, if you experience coeliac-like symptoms when you eat foods containing gluten, and symptoms resolve when you omit gluten from your diet, it is highly likely that you have a gluten intolerance.
We recommend that you consult a doctor if you have worrying gastrointestinal symptoms or the test result is contrary to your expectations. If you choose the Core Health Assessment Package or the Complete Health Assessment Package along with your gluten intolerance test, you get free access to our 24/7 GP Helpline for one year. You can speak to one of our experienced doctors about any concerns you may have and get advice about the next steps.
A gluten-free diet can benefit you if you have gluten intolerance or other types of gluten sensitivity. If you have gluten allergy/coeliac disease, you will need to follow a very strict gluten-free diet.
If you have gluten intolerance, you should also follow a gluten-free diet, although you might be able to tolerate a small amount of gluten. But if you have symptoms after eating gluten, they should get better when you stop eating gluten.
NOTE: Do not eat a gluten-free diet before taking a gluten allergy test, as it will affect the test results. If you have not eaten gluten for a long time and want to test for gluten allergy you need to reintroduce gluten into your diet for several weeks before testing.
