Diagnosing Coeliac disease

Definitive diagnosis of Coeliac disease is complicated by the similarity of many of the symptoms to other conditions. In fact in the UK misdiagnosis of the disease has lead many people to believe they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. (Information regarding this can be obtained from coeliac society UK). Individuals may be screened for Coeliac disease using antigliadin, antireticulin, and antiendomysium antibody tests.

Raised blood serum levels of these antibodies in patients with active Coeliac disease have been shown to correlate well with the degree of damage occurring in the small intestine. A negative blood test is not a conclusive answer to say you don't have coeliac disease however it's a less invasive test that if positive is a good indication you have gluten sensitivity, an intestinal biopsy(invasive) is still considered the most reliable diagnostic tool.

A biopsy before and after the adoption of a strict gluten-free diet allows the physician to observe the pre- and post-exposure status of the intestinal villi. If you go onto a Gluten Free Diet before you have been fully diagnosed you will be required to go on a gluten diet for at least 6 weeks before you can begin the testing.

The complete diagnosis may take quite a long time because healing of the villi may take months or years on a gluten-free diet. DH is diagnosed by performing a biopsy of the affected skin and staining for the presence of IgA.

Despite the difficulty in diagnosing Coeliac disease, early recognition of the disorder may reduce the risk of the development of malignant intestinal lymphomas, as well as serious bone mineral loss. Even Coeliac disease sufferers who experience no observable symptoms are at risk for suffering these problems, and by remaining on a gluten diet it will only increase their chance of contracting cancer and osteoporosis.