Blood Testing for Gluten Intolerance and Coeliac Disease

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When a person with coeliac disease eats gluten, it triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this can affect how the body absorbs nutrients and may lead to a range of health issues, from fatigue and bloating to anaemia and osteoporosis. 

The only treatment for coeliac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. Early diagnosis through testing may help to prevent complications and improve long-term health. 

What’s the difference between gluten intolerance and coeliac disease?

While the symptoms can be similar, gluten intolerance (also known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) and coeliac disease are quite different. 

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where small amounts of gluten can cause damage to the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this intestinal damage can lead to serious complications such as the inability to absorb nutrients.   

Gluten intolerance doesn’t cause damage to the intestinal lining but can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain or fatigue after eating gluten. 

Testing helps to distinguish between the two so you can take the right steps for your personal situation.  

Signs and symptoms to look for

Signs of gluten intolerance or coeliac disease can vary widely and may include: 

• Bloating abdominal pain or diarrhoea 
• Fatigue or low energy
• Unexplained weight loss or nutrient deficiencies
• Skin rashes
• Headaches or brain fog
• Joint pain
• Iron deficiency anaemia

Symptoms can overlap with other digestive conditions, blood testing is an important first step in identifying the cause of your symptoms.  

How to be tested for gluten intolerance and coeliac disease

Testing for coeliac disease typically involves a blood test that checks for specific antibodies, such as: 

• Tissue transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) 
• Deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) 

If your blood test results indicate that these antibodies are elevated, it may indicate coeliac disease. To make the test as accurate as possible, it’s recommended to continue eating gluten before your test, as eliminating gluten too early may affect the results.

For gluten intolerance, your doctor may use a combination of blood tests, symptom history and sometimes an elimination diet to help rule out coeliac disease or wheat allergy.

How long will it take to receive my results?

Once you’ve visited a pathology clinic and provided your blood sample, results are usually available within a few days to one week, depending on the clinic. Your results will be available via your My Health record as soon as the clinic has issued them, and will also be provided to your referring doctor. The next step is to discuss the results with a doctor who can explain what the findings mean and recommend next steps.

If my test results indicate I have coeliac disease, what can I expect?

If your test shows signs of coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, your doctor will talk you through what it means and how to manage it.  

For coeliac disease, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist for confirmation and support starting a gluten-free diet.  

For gluten intolerance, your doctor can guide you on dietary changes and symptom management to help you feel your best.  

Ongoing follow-up and monitoring may help you stay healthy and symptom-free. 

Request a referral for coeliac and gluten intolerance testing online

If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be linked to gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, you can speak with a doctor via virtual consult and get a referral for a blood test, without making a special trip to the medical centre.

At Doctors on Demand, our highly experienced team of Australian based doctors can provide fast, convenient referrals for testing, and help you take the next step to getting to the source of your symptoms.

You can book an appointment for a time that suits you, or join the queue to speak with the next available doctor.