Known as an autoimmune disorder, the celiac disease can occur mostly in people with a genetic predisposition to it. The test for celiac disease it doesn’t take long and if you want to either you have or not you have to take it.

If you know that other members in your family have presented the celiac disease or if you have one of the following symptoms you should get tested: regular abdominal pains, chronic diarrhea, and weight loss associated with anemia. It can also happen to children so if your child doesn’t grow at a normal rate you should have him tested.

Primarily the test for celiac disease requires a blood sample to see the levels of autoantibody, the proteins that react against their own cells. If the levels of two antibodies known as tTGA and EMA are high then the person will be diagnosed with the celiac disease. To make sure the test results are as accurate as possible don’t stop eating gluten a few days before the test. A healthy diet based on glutens like pasta or bread assures better test results.

If the blood results are inconclusive or negative but the patient is still suspected of having celiac disease then further tests need to be taken.

First is the intestinal biopsy. This is performed on the small intestine and the doctor removes tiny pieces of tissue to check the integrity of the villi. This can be done by inserting an endoscope through the patient’s mouth all the way to the small intestine.

Next is screening and it checks the autoantibodies from people that don’t have any symptoms. This is usually performed for people that have other cases of celiac disease in their families.

The celiac disease can also be discovered by accident while performing tests for other conditions:

a complete body count to check for anemia will also show the levels of the autoantibodies

people who have inflammations do a test called ESR to determine erythrocyte sedimentation rate and evaluate the inflammation; for this can be also performed a test know as CRP, both indicating if the patient has also celiac disease

people who have kidney and liver issues usually do a comprehensive metabolic panel which among other things like the protein and calcium levels also shows the count for autoantibodies

tests for vitamin deficiencies, especially for D, E and B12

Once the disease is confirmed by a doctor the patient has to start the treatment. This means a gluten free diet that will improve his condition.