- Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms: bloating, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort.
- Nutrient deficiencies: iron deficiency anaemia, low B12 or folate.
- Abnormal liver enzymes: unexplained elevations on routine testing.
- Bone health concerns: low bone density or bone disease.
- Autoimmune conditions: assessment alongside autoimmune thyroid disease or type 1 diabetes.
- Neurological symptoms: ataxia, peripheral neuropathy or unexplained neurological features.
- Dermatological findings: rashes or chronic skin problems.
- Family history: first-degree relative with coeliac disease.
- Fertility concerns: unexplained fertility problems.
- Unexplained weight loss: ongoing weight loss without clear cause.
Overview
The Celiac & Gluten Sensitivity (Serum) test measures antibodies associated with immune responses to gluten-related antigens using a venous blood sample. The panel includes IgA and IgG antibodies to tissue transglutaminase, deamidated gliadin peptide and gliadin, alongside total IgA to provide context for antibody interpretation.
Clinically, this test may be useful when exploring symptoms or clinical findings that raise consideration of coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Measuring multiple antibody markers allows differentiation between immune response patterns associated with gluten exposure, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with clinical presentation.
Practitioners typically interpret results alongside dietary intake, symptom history, family history, genetic background and other laboratory findings. When reviewed in context, the test can support informed discussions with clients about gluten-related immune responses.
Practical
Practical
Specimen requirements:
Blood drawn. Red-gray tube.
Average processing time:
14 ±5 days
Research
Research
• Ankelo, M; Kleimola, V; Simell, S; Simell, O; Knip, M et al. (2007) Comparative Usefulness of Deamidated Gliadin Antibodies in the Diagnosis of Celiac Disease Antibody responses to deamidated gliadin peptide show high specificity and parallel antibodies to tissue transglutaminase in developing celiac disease. Clinical and experimental immunology vol. 150 (2) p. 285-93.
• Dahlbom, Ingrid; Olsson, Martin; Forooz, Nahal Kazemi; Sjöholm, Anders G; Truedsson, Lennart et al. (2005) Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies used as markers for IgA-deficient celiac disease patients. Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology vol. 12 (2) p. 254-8.
• Fasano A. Surprises from celiac disease. Scientific Am. 2009;301:54-61.
• Mothes, Thomas. (2007) Deamidated gliadin peptides as targets for Celiac disease-specific antibodies. Advances in Clinical Chemistry vol.44 p. 44.
• Nelsen, Davis A. Jr., M.D., M.S., (2002) Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy (Celiac Disease): More Common Than You Think. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Dec 15;66(12):2259-2266.
• Parizade, Miriam; Bujanover, Yoram; Weiss, Batya; Nachmias, Vered; Shainberg, Bracha (2009) Performance of serology assays for diagnosing celiac disease in a clinical setting. Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI vol. 16 (11) p. 1576-82.
• Pietzak, Michelle (2012) Celiac Disease, Wheat Allergy, and Gluten Sensitivity: When Gluten Free Is Not a Fad. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr vol. 36 (1_suppl) p. 68S-75S.
• Rubio-Tapia A, Hill ID, Kelly CP, et al. ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(5):656-76.
• Rubio-Tapia, Alberto; Hill, Ivor D; Kelly, Ciarán P; Calderwood, Audrey H; Murray, Joseph A (2013) ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. The American journal of gastroenterology vol. 108 (5) p. 656-76; quiz 677.
• Sapone, Anna; Lammers, Karen; Casolaro, Vincenzo; Cammarota, Marcella; Giuliano, Maria et al. (2011) Divergence of gut permeability and mucosal immune gene expression in two gluten-associated conditions: celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. BMC Medicine vol. 9 (1) p. 23.
• Siles, Roxanna I. MD and Hsieh, Fred H., MD (2013) Allergy blood testing: A practical guide for clinicians. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. Dec 2013, 80 (12).
• Vermeersch, Pieter; Geboes, Karel; Mariën, Godelieve; Hoffman, Ilse; Hiele, Martin et al. (2010) Diagnostic performance of IgG anti-deamidated gliadin peptide antibody assays is comparable to IgA antitTG in celiac disease. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry vol. 411 (13-14) p. 931- 5.
• Wang, Ning; Truedsson, Lennart; Elvin, Kerstin; Andersson, Bengt A; Rönnelid, Johan et al. (2014) Serological assessment for celiac disease in IgA deficient adults. PloS one vol. 9 (4) p. e93180.