Laboratory and microbiological tests
Coeliac disease tests
What is coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten damages the lining of the small intestine. Blood tests help determine whether the body is producing an immune response to gluten.
When are the tests performed?
Testing is recommended if you have:
- persistent diarrhoea;
- iron-deficiency anaemia of unknown cause;
- abdominal bloating;
- weight loss;
- osteoporosis at a young age;
- a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with coeliac disease.
Which tests are performed?
The following are most commonly tested:
- tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (anti-tTG IgA);
- total IgA level;
- if necessary, endomysial antibodies (EMA) or deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP).
How should I prepare?
Important: do not begin a gluten-free diet before testing and confirmation of the diagnosis. If you consume only small amounts of gluten or avoid it entirely, the test results may be falsely negative.
Is a blood test alone sufficient?
Not always. For many adults, a gastroscopy with biopsies of the duodenum is also performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Important. This information has been prepared for patient education purposes and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Preparation instructions for individual tests may vary depending on the healthcare facility, your health and the planned procedure. Always follow the individual instructions provided to you.
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