Testing

"Gluten makes me sick"

Gluten intolerance is also a genetic disorder, so it runs in families. About 1 in 133 Americans have the condition, but that number may rise to 1 in 22 for those who have an immediate family member with gluten intolerance. Gluten Intolerance is currently 97% Undiagnosed, Imagine what these numbers would be if we had more awareness. You can also be Gluten Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive (NCGS) ~15% of all people or 1 in 7 are gluten sensitive.

All "Gluten intolerance" is easily identified by an Elimination Diet. However many people turn to blood tests as a first investigation. Because the most common test for Gluten intolerance is still the old-fashioned Celiac test (blood tests and intestinal biopsy), most Gluten intolerant people return a 'negative' or inconclusive test. You can still be gluten sensitive. Does this mean they are not gluten sensitive? NO, regardless of the "label" you still need the same result a "gluten free diet" I believe "gluten" is a much bigger issue then mainstream medicine is aware of or will admit.


It is also important to note that although some people with "gluten tolerance" suffer severe symptoms, some suffer none at all. Why I personally believe if you have a family member with "gluten intolerance", it's important to have some type of testing/elimination diet done.

Testing

Elimination Diet
Elimination Diet is a tool for finding out which foods cause your symptoms.

Celiac panel

The blood test for celiac disease is looking for the following :

AGA (antigliadin)

IgAAGA (antigliadin)

IgGEMA (antiendomysial)

tTG (anti-tissue transglutaminase)

Total serum IgA

Genetics testing

Stool
The stool test is a specific test for gluten sensitivity. Because the antibodies are produced in the intestine, these tests are also extremely sensitive in detecting certain antibodies. These tests can be ordered by phone or Internet and done at home (you then mail the sample to the lab), and as such, are simple and non-invasive. The stool test can also be used to determine the presence of a genetic predisposition for celiac disease.

Saliva

Most saliva tests do not look for the specific celiac disease antibodies

(EMA and tTG), but do look at AGA (IgA and IgG).

They are therefore most helpful

in determining gluten sensitivity/intolerance, and not celiac disease.

ALCAT
The ALCAT Test differs from other food allergy or intolerance tests as it accurately and objectively measures leukocyte cellular reactivity in whole blood, which is a final common pathway of all mechanisms. The test utilizes electronic, state of the art, hematological instrumentation. ALCAT offer different test panel's most include "gluten" testing.

They also offer a "20 Food Finger-Stick Screen "

a simple non invasive testing method for gluten screening.

RAST

A RAST test (short for radioallergosorbent test) is a blood test used to determine to what substances a person is allergic. A RAST test, using a person's extracted blood, detects the amount of Ige that reacts specifically with suspected or known allergens.


Skin Test
An allergy skin test is used to identify the substances that are causing your allergy symptoms. It is often performed by applying an extract of an allergen to your skin, scratching or pricking the skin to allow exposure, and then evaluating the skin's reaction. It may also be done by injecting the allergen under the skin, or by applying it to a patch that is worn on the skin for a specified period of time.

Applied kinesiology

Applied kinesiology (AK) is a technique used to diagnose illness or choose treatment by testing muscles for strength and weakness. It's sometimes used to try and find out if a particular food or other substance weakens or makes the person stronger.



ELISA IgG Blood Test
If you have an intolerance of a certain food, your

body’s natural reaction may be to produce what is known as an IgG antibody against it.