How to get diagnosed

There are three steps in the diagnosis of coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. :

1. Discuss your symptoms with your GPGeneral Practitioner, or local doctor.
2. Get a simple blood testBlood is taken from someone who is being tested for coeliac disease. in your GP’s surgery. 
3. Get a referral to a gastroenterologistA doctor who specialises in the digestive system. for a gut biopsyThis simple procedure looks for gut damage. A thin tube is passed through the mouth, down to the upper part of the small intestine. Then a tiny sample of gut lining is collected. This can be done using local anaesthetic and/or sedation. .

There are specific blood tests used to diagnosis coeliac disease. They look for antibodiesExist in the blood and are used by the immune system to attack viruses or bacteria. that the body makes in response to eating glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. .

The most accurate blood tests for coeliac disease are:

Tissue transglutaminase antibody (shortened to 'tTGA')
Endomysial antibody (shortened to 'EMAEndomysial antibody - an antibody that is measured in the blood as part of the diagnosis process for coeliac disease. Depending on the laboratory performing the test, one or more antibodies may be measured (see Tissue Transglutaminase)')

The test used depends on the laboratory performing the test - they may measure one of the antibodies, or sometimes both.

Some people with coeliac disease do not make the usual coeliac disease antibodies.  This is called IgA deficiency and so your GP will need to test you differently for the condition.  If you have ongoing symptoms that suggest coeliac disease but you have had a negative blood test, then ask your GP to test you for IgA deficiency.

A biopsy involves a small camera called an endoscope being passed through your mouth and stomach into the gut. It is done using an anaesthetic spray to numb your throat or with a sedative given by injection. Biopsies are collected and examined under a microscope to check for gut damage typical in coeliac disease.

These tests for coeliac disease can be done on both adults and children. They confirm a diagnosis of coeliac disease in all cases. In young children, the endoscopyAn investigation that looks inside your gut. The endoscope is a thin flexible tube that you swallow. It has a light and a camera and is passed via the mouth and into the upper part of the gut that is affected in coeliac disease. is performed under a general anaesthetic. If you have any concerns about testing, the best thing to do is to talk with your healthcare team.

Once the diagnosis of coeliac disease is made, you can then join Coeliac UK as a Member and receive lots of detailed information and support about following a gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet.

Home testing kits, such as Biocard, are now available over the counter and online. The Charity welcomes any development which can help people get diagnosed. There are some important things to think about in using such a test and we would always recommend consulting a doctor whatever the result of the test.  You can read more about other tests for coeliac disease on our website.