Coeliac Disease Testing

Think you might be allergic to gluten? Here, at Midland Health, we offer coeliac disease testing to find if your immune system might be having an adverse reaction to gluten; a protein found in three types of cereals: wheat, barley and rye. 

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition caused by inflammation of the small intestine which leads to an inability to absorb nutrients. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Sensitivity can range from mild to severe, with some people experiencing mild discomfort, to others who may go into full anaphylaxis. 

For mild symptoms, it may be recommended to keep a food diary to help avoid contact with gluten but if you are experiencing a severe allergy, it can be diagnosed via a blood test, which can be administered at one of the Midland Health clinic in Birmingham. 

Coeliac Disease Symptoms

If you are allergic to gluten, your condition can manifest in various ways, depending on the severity of the disease and how long it has been untreated. The mild symptoms of coeliac disease include digestive discomfort, such as diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and flatulence. You could also be experiencing weight loss and low energy, due to the lack of nutrients being absorbed. 

Those symptoms can worsen over time if the coeliac disease isn’t treated, leading to severe malnourishment and fatigue, as well as an itchy skin rash called Dermatitis Herpetiformis, which usually appears around the elbows and knees. This is why it’s important to have a coeliac test done as quickly as possible if you suspect you might be allergic to gluten. 

Coeliac Disease Diagnostics

At Midland Health, we offer a variety of diagnostic blood tests that can help you determine whether you might be allergic to gluten or not and the severity of the condition. When we do the test, our lab experts will look for coeliac disease antibodies (IgA-tTG) in your blood. If you test positive for IgA-tTG, this indicates you have a gluten allergy. 

Sometimes, the results aren’t conclusive. If you only show moderate levels of IgA-tTG, your GP may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy to confirm the results. The same applies to cases when the test is negative for IgA-tTG but you still experience allergy symptoms. Our doctors are experienced in coeliac disease diagnostics, so we will be able to give you further advice once we’ve seen your test results.

Please note, it is important to continue eating gluten normally up until the day of the coeliac disease testing to ensure that the results are a true and accurate representation of your body’s response to cereals. 

Prices

Allergy Blood Test - Cereal

£208.40

(Barley/Oat/Rye/Wheat)

* to be conducted within a standard GP Consultation

Gluten Allergy Profile Blood Test

£456.80

* to be conducted within a standard GP Consultation

Standard GP Consultation

£135

(30 min)

Express GP Consultation

£85

(15 min)

FAQ

What causes coeliac disease?

There is no single cause for coeliac diseases, instead, it’s usually resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

What foods contain gluten?

There are three types of cereal that contain gluten: wheat, barley and rye. Those are often used in bakery products such as cakes and bread but they can also be found in breakfast cereals and beer. If you are suffering from coeliac disease it’s important to move to a gluten-free diet.

What happens if you have coeliac disease?

When you consume products that contain gluten, your immune system attacks them damaging the intestines and preventing you from getting the nutrients your body needs.

What happens if a child has coeliac disease?

As the coeliac disease can lead to malnourishment, in children, it can result in reduced growth both in height and weight.

Is there a cure for coeliac disease?

Currently, there is no cure for coeliac disease but the condition can be managed via a gluten-free diet. The good news is that gluten isn’t essential to your normal diet, so changing your eating habits will not harm your body.

Should I stop eating gluten before the coeliac disease test?

No. It’s important to eat normally before the test, otherwise, the blood sample won’t be able to give us a correct representation of your body’s reaction to gluten.

Get tested at Midland Heath

If you suspect you might be allergic to gluten and you need a coeliac disease testing specialist near you, Midland Health has modern clinic in Birmingham where our experienced doctors can conduct the procedure and help you get a diagnosis.

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