Is there a reliable home coeliac test?

[Lunificent]

I’m wondering if my daughter is Coeliac. She seems to have a lot of the symptoms. Is there a test she could do at home? Obviously I would take her to the GP but would like to test for it first.

No there isn’t.

I recently thought I might have developed a strong gluten intolerance, if not actual coeliac disease, after a long history of issues. (I was not inclined go GF as I didn't want to go down the road of avoiding certain foods as it seems that some people do it for the sake of it - backstory here that I won't go into!) Anyway, I stopped all gluten immediately and, I'm not even kidding, my symptoms eased overnight and I feel better than I have in years. So, is it worth trying eliminating it or have you done that? I understand that your diet has to have gluten in it when they actually test for gluten intolerance/coeliac.

No

It's diagnosed by blood test and colonoscopy.

It's not an allergy it's an autoimmune condition.

Don't cut out anything until after you have spoken to the GP.

pastabest probably meant to post 'endscopy' ( also known as 'OGD' ) rather than colonscopy.

OP, if you just want to feel better and dont care about your issues being tagged with nice neat medical labels then why not do whatever works for you ?

@BocaChica

pastabest probably meant to post 'endscopy' ( also known as 'OGD' ) rather than colonscopy.

OP, if you just want to feel better and dont care about your issues being tagged with nice neat medical labels then why not do whatever works for you ?

A diagnosis is actually quite important. Coeliac disease increases your risk of other immune mediated conditions, osteoporosis and several cancers so a proper diagnosis and screening means that other issues can be considered throughout your lifetime

I think for a child proper diagnosis is quite important in order to get annual check ups and follow up care. Our school insisted on a letter from the GP or consultant in order to provide gluten free school dinners.

Agree with the PP not to cut gluten out until you have been given a full and final diagnosis. The tests for coeliac disease only work if you currently have gluten in your diet. The GP told DD to stop eating gluten after positive blood tests, and she never got the biopsy. This means the ‘coeliac’ official diagnosis cannot go into her notes, which has caused all sorts of problems - eg, eligibility for free flu jab, priority COVID jab, etc. See your GP OP, you don’t need to test at home first.

I wouldn't trust the home tests. And like the others said, you have to have eaten gluten daily for 6 weeks before the GP blood test - I'm not sure they're doing endoscopies because of covid, I think they're doing an extra blood test or something?

I accidentally gave up gluten when I stopped eating highly processed food after reading "why we eat too much" and I stopped getting headaches and feeling bloated all the time - I didn't realise I might be coeliac until I ate a bit of bread and got so ill! I've had gluten a handful of times since, and had IBS issues every time. I can't face eating it every day for a test, so I'll just happily avoid it, unless getting a test someday seems more important than the symptoms I'll get from having to eat gluten for it.

3 years ago I actually also got one of the main cancers that being an undiagnosed coeliac can cause, but I never suspected coeliac and no one ever mentioned it to me! 🤷

Apparently the blood bottle shortage is over now so ask your gp for a test. On the UK coeliac website they have a "should I get a test" quiz and will generate a letter for you to bring to your GP with any relevant medical history to make your case for it.

Definitely see the GP. Coeliacs is a serious disease and needs proper medical attention. Do not cut out gluten, get a medical test.

No. Even if you cut gluten out and her symptoms went away you’d have no idea if she was coeliac or just sensitive to gluten. Coeliac disease is an auto immune condition which raises your risk of developing other conditions and you literally cannot eat gluten again. You need to see a dietician and have bone density scans etc.

She will have to have a blood test and then I guess also an endoscopy (I’m assuming it’s the same for children). Do not cut gluten out before you get her tested because otherwise you will risk a false negative on the blood test.

My friend’s daughter has just been diagnosed with a simple blood test.

Having had a gastroscopy this morning for confirmatory diagnosis, I can assure you they are absolutely still doing this.

However, in children, there may be the possibility that they would diagnose from bloods alone.

Call your GP, get the bloods done and go from there.
Do not remove gluten from the diet until told to do so.

Good luck!