Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye. If a person has a gluten intolerance, this protein can cause digestive issues and other symptoms.

Gluten intolerance is sometimes confused with coeliac disease, which is an allergy to gluten. While avoiding gluten-containing foods is a treatment strategy for both, they are not the same conditions.

Food intolerances, such as gluten intolerance, cause disturbances in the digestive system. With a gluten allergy, also known as coeliac disease, the immune system overreacts to gluten, causing an autoimmune response that damages the intestinal lining. While people who are gluten intolerant may experience symptoms similar to people with coeliac disease, they do not have the intestinal damage or tTG antibodies found in those with coeliac disease.

Symptoms vary from person to person, but the main symptom of coeliac disease/gluten allergy is digestive distress and may include:

• Nausea
• Bloating and gas
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Anxiety or depression
• Headaches
• Feeling tired
• Mouth ulcers
• Sudden weight loss/gain
• Hair loss
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Joint pain
• Skin rashes

The gluten allergy test measures the levels of transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) in the blood and can be used to diagnose both gluten intolerance and gluten allergy/coeliac disease.

Test results that show high tTG levels indicate coeliac disease, an autoimmune disorder causing an allergy to gluten. If the test is negative for tTG antibodies but you experience the symptoms associated with coeliac disease after ingesting gluten, gluten intolerance is highly likely.

While there is currently no specific test available for gluten intolerance, this test measuring tTG antibodies provides enough insight to determine if gluten is problematic for you, enabling you to avoid gluten in your diet and resolve symptoms.

To prepare for this test you must continue to eat gluten. Going gluten-free before getting tested can affect your results because the test measures tTG antibodies that can only be produced after consuming gluten.

During the test, a blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm, as opposed to using a finger-prick blood test, because results are more accurate this way. The test is relatively painless, except for a slight pricking sensation as the phlebotomist inserts the needle. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.

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.