Blood tests are used to diagnose celiac disease, an autoimmune and digestive disorder caused by gluten. The celiac blood panel shows higher levels of certain antibodies, which are used in conjunction with clinical symptoms and a biopsy to diagnose the disease. A gluten-free diet is the only treatment.
A variety of celiac blood tests, collectively referred to as the celiac blood panel, are used as a key step in diagnosing celiac disease. The celiac blood panel shows higher than normal levels of certain types of antibodies which indicate the likelihood of celiac disease. These laboratory findings are used to diagnose celiac disease in conjunction with clinical symptoms, physical examination, and a biopsy of the small intestine.
Celiac disease, also called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an autoimmune and digestive disorder. A protein called gluten, found in many grain-based foods, causes antibodies to form that attack the intestinal lining. The resulting damage makes it difficult for nutrients to be absorbed at normal levels and can lead to malnutrition, no matter how much food an individual consumes. Blood tests for celiac disease are needed to help doctors diagnose this disease, which can develop at any stage of life.
Blood tests for celiac disease may include a panel of several related laboratory tests. Some types of tests look for higher levels of certain types of antibodies. Antibodies identified in laboratory tests might include anti-endomysial antibodies, anti-gliadin antibodies, deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies, or anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. Some blood tests check iron or protein levels. Celiac disease is diagnosed by a combination of laboratory test results, clinical signs of the disease, and a biopsy of the small intestine to determine possible damage.
Celiac disease can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are so diverse. Therefore, celiac blood tests are needed to confirm an initial diagnosis based on clinical symptoms. The clinical signs of celiac disease can range from digestive or musculoskeletal problems to seizures or tingling in the extremities. Other seemingly unrelated symptoms might include mouth sores, anemia, hair loss, frequent bruising, or itchy rashes. Celiac disease sometimes occurs in combination with other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Down syndrome, type 1 diabetes or lupus.
After a positive diagnosis using celiac blood tests and other diagnostic tools, an individual with celiac disease must stop eating foods that contain gluten, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats. There is no cure for the disease, but the clinical symptoms and related complications could be reduced by permanently adopting a gluten-free diet. Generally, the condition improves within a few months of making dietary changes, although it may take two to three years for some individuals to regain health. In some cases, individuals who are not helped by dietary changes may require intravenous nutritional supplements to avoid malnutrition.
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