Get Answers
Diagnosing Coeliac Disease Updated 2021
Understanding Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It affects approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK, although many remain undiagnosed. The only current treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
Recognising Symptoms
Symptoms of coeliac disease can vary widely among individuals and can affect any area of the body. Common symptoms include gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and bloating. Non-gastrointestinal symptoms may include fatigue, anaemia, osteoporosis, and skin rashes. Because of this variability, coeliac disease can often be misdiagnosed or remain undiagnosed for years.
Initial Screening: Blood Tests
The first step in diagnosing coeliac disease typically involves blood tests that check for specific antibodies. The most common tests include:
- Tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-IgA)
- Endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA)
- Deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP-IgA and DGP-IgG)
It's important to note that patients should continue consuming gluten while these tests are conducted to avoid false-negative results. If these blood tests suggest coeliac disease, further diagnostic steps are recommended.
Confirmatory Diagnosis: Biopsy
If initial blood tests are positive, the next step is typically an endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine, conducted by a gastroenterologist. During this procedure, small tissue samples are taken from the lining of the small intestine to look for damage to the villi, which are the small, finger-like projections that absorb nutrients. If villous atrophy is observed, a diagnosis of coeliac disease is confirmed.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes can support the diagnosis, although it is not definitive, as these genes are present in about 30% of the UK population. However, a negative result for these genes can effectively exclude coeliac disease as a diagnosis.
Post-Diagnosis: Management and Follow-Up
Once diagnosed, patients must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet, eliminating all sources of wheat, barley, and rye. Follow-up care is crucial to monitor the patient’s response to the diet, usually involving periodic blood tests to check for nutrient deficiencies and whether the coeliac-specific antibodies have returned to normal levels.
Conclusion
Early and accurate diagnosis of coeliac disease is essential to prevent long-term health complications. If you suspect you have coeliac disease, consult your GP who can guide you through the necessary diagnostic procedures. Awareness and understanding of coeliac disease have significantly improved in the UK, contributing to better patient outcomes.
Diagnosing Coeliac Disease Updated 2021
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease is a health problem. When people with it eat gluten, it harms their small intestine. About 1 in 100 people in the UK have it, but many do not know. The only treatment is to always eat food without gluten.
How to Spot Symptoms
Symptoms can be different for everyone. Some symptoms are stomach problems like diarrhoea, tummy ache, and feeling bloated. Other symptoms can be feeling very tired, having weak bones, and skin rashes. Because symptoms can vary, it's easy to miss or get the wrong diagnosis.
First Test: Blood Tests
The first step to find out if someone has coeliac disease is usually a blood test. This test looks for certain antibodies. The main tests are:
- Tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-IgA)
- Endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA)
- Deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP-IgA and DGP-IgG)
It's important to keep eating gluten before the test to get the right result. If the blood tests show signs of coeliac disease, more tests are needed.
Next Step: Biopsy
If blood tests are positive, the next step is usually a biopsy of the small intestine. A doctor called a gastroenterologist does this test. They take tiny pieces of the intestine to see if it is damaged. If they see damage, the person has coeliac disease.
Genetic Tests
Genetic tests can help, but they don't give a definite answer because 30% of people in the UK have these genes. However, if the test is negative, it usually means the person does not have coeliac disease.
After Diagnosis: Diet and Check-Ups
After doctor says someone has coeliac disease, they must not eat any gluten. This means no wheat, barley, or rye. Regular check-ups are important. Doctors will do more blood tests to see if they are healthy and if their body is getting better.
Conclusion
It's important to find out early if someone has coeliac disease. This helps to avoid other health problems. If you think you have coeliac disease, talk to your doctor for the right tests. More people in the UK now understand coeliac disease, which helps patients get better care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.
Common symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, and nutritional deficiencies, among others. Some individuals may also experience joint pain and fatigue.
Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to check for specific antibodies and a biopsy of the small intestine to assess any damage to the villi.
The most common blood tests are tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-IgA) and endomysial antibodies (EMA).
Yes, it is crucial to continue eating gluten-containing foods before the testing to ensure accurate results.
Yes, coeliac disease can develop at any age, from infancy to adulthood.
Untreated coeliac disease can lead to serious health complications, including osteoporosis, infertility, neurological conditions, and an increased risk of some cancers.
There is no cure for coeliac disease, but it can be effectively managed with a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
Foods containing wheat, barley, and rye should be avoided. This includes bread, pasta, cereals, and many processed foods unless specifically labeled as gluten-free.
Pure, uncontaminated oats can be consumed by many people with coeliac disease, but they should be introduced cautiously and under medical supervision.
Many people start to feel better within a few weeks, but complete healing of the intestine may take several months to years.
Yes, coeliac disease has a genetic component, and first-degree relatives of a person with coeliac disease have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Currently, there are no medications available to treat coeliac disease. The primary treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.
Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cooking utensils, toasters, and food storage containers. Also, ensure thorough cleaning of kitchen surfaces and hands.
Support can be found through coeliac disease patient groups, such as Coeliac UK, which provide resources, advice, and emotional support.
Coeliac disease is a health problem. It happens when the body does not like gluten. Eating gluten can hurt the small intestine.
Some common signs are runny poo, tummy pain, feeling full and gassy, and not getting enough important body stuff from food. Some people might also feel sore in their joints and very tired.
To find out what's wrong, doctors usually do two things. First, they take some blood to look for special signs in it. Second, they take a tiny piece from inside the tummy to see if it is hurt.
If you find reading hard, try using a ruler to follow the lines. Reading slowly and taking breaks can also help.
The most common blood tests are called tTG-IgA and EMA. They help doctors check for certain health problems.
Yes, it is very important to keep eating foods with gluten before the test. This helps get the right test results.
Yes, coeliac disease can start at any age. It can happen to babies, children, or adults.
If you don’t treat coeliac disease, it can make you very sick. It can cause weak bones, problems having babies, brain issues, and even some kinds of cancer.
There is no cure for coeliac disease, but you can manage it by always eating gluten-free foods.
Some foods have wheat, barley, and rye in them. You should not eat these foods. This means no bread, pasta, cereals, and other foods that come in packets. Look for foods with a label that says "gluten-free" to be safe.
Many people with coeliac disease can eat oats if they are very clean and safe. But it is important to try them slowly and have a doctor help you.
A lot of people start to feel better a few weeks after getting sick. But it can take a long time for the tummy to get all better. Sometimes, it can take months or even years.
If you need extra help reading, you could use a ruler to follow each line or ask someone to read with you. You can also try reading out loud. It can make the words easier to understand.
Yes, coeliac disease can run in families. If someone in your family, like a parent or sibling, has coeliac disease, you are more likely to get it too.
If you find this hard to read, you can try using a ruler or your finger to follow the words. You can also ask someone to read it to you.
There are no medicines to help people with coeliac disease right now. The main way to feel better is to eat food without gluten.
Keep food safe. Use different cooking tools, toasters, and containers for each type of food. Always clean the kitchen surfaces and wash your hands well.
You can get help from groups for people with coeliac disease, like Coeliac UK. They give you useful information, advice, and can make you feel better.
Ergsy Search Results
This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Always seek guidance from qualified professionals.
If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.
Some of this content was generated with AI assistance. We've done our best to keep it accurate, helpful, and human-friendly.
- Ergsy carefully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings.
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.