Do you suffer from gluten sensitivity? Perhaps you struggle with nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, or GI distress. Or maybe you are subject to skin issues, headaches, joint pain, fatigue, or brain fog. Could gluten sensitivity be to blame? Or perhaps you are concerned about celiac disease.
Instead of wondering, why not know your GlutenID®? Assess your Celiac Disease Genetic Risk with a simple FDA-approved home test that can put your mind at ease. This groundbreaking test can also show you if you have the genes that cause celiac disease. Learn if you or your family members have the gene. Safeguard your health in the process.
Shelly Gunn MD, PhD, is the Founder and Medical Director of Targeted Genomics. After completing her MD from San Antonio Medical School (now UT Health), she became Board-Certified in Pathology.
Dr. Gunn splits her time between San Antonio and a molecular laboratory in California. Having earned a PhD in Molecular Biology, she pursued a career in molecular pathology, ultimately becoming a medical director in Orange County in 2006. Now, through Targeted Genomics, she is making genetic testing more accessible to those who need it most.
The decision to develop a test for gluten was based upon a heartfelt need.
“We had a family member who needed to know their genetic risk for celiac disease,” she shares. “There’s no easy way to get that. We had to go through testing through one of the big labs and wait for someone to interpret it.”
Wanting others to have easier access to this crucial test, Dr. Gunn set out to create a better solution. After 10 years of development, GlutenID® recently received FDA clearance.
Targeted Genomics, a family-owned genetic testing company based in San Antonio, has been operating since 2014. With FDA approval, the test is now available nationwide, offering consumers a reliable way to understand their celiac disease risk.
Ordering a GlutenID® test is simple. Customers can purchase a kit from the company’s website, which includes a prepaid mailing label. The process involves a quick 10-second cheek swab, after which the sample is sent to the lab. Results are typically available within two weeks.
GlutenID® utilizes Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to rapidly genotype specific inherited variants related to celiac disease. The test does not assess other genetic markers – it is exclusively focused on celiac risk.
Once results are received, individuals are encouraged to consult a licensed healthcare provider or genetic counselor to interpret the findings and discuss potential lifestyle or dietary changes.
Why test? Knowledge is power when it comes to making dietary changes to protect you and your family. Dr. Gunn explains that families are the primary users ofGlutenID®, especially those with a known history of celiac disease. Genetic testing can identify which family members may be at risk, helping them take preventive dietary measures.
“If someone is at an increased risk for celiac disease, they can take proactive steps to avoid developing the condition by eliminating gluten from their diet,” Dr. Gunn explains. “Gluten is one of the hardest elements for our bodies to digest.” For those with a genetic intolerance, gluten can trigger an immune reaction affecting the GI system and beyond.
Dr. Gunn speaks from experience. “When I eliminated gluten from my diet 10 years ago, I felt a world better,” she shares.
Consumers can conveniently order GlutenID® from the Targeted Genomics website and use it at their discretion. In addition to GlutenID®, the company offers CeliacDx, a more comprehensive test that includes a pathology consultation for those seeking further analysis.
Don’t leave your health to chance. With GlutenID®, you can take a proactive approach to understanding your celiac disease risk and make informed decisions about your diet and well-being.
– Written by Elizabeth McCabe
Reprinted by permission from Stroll Alamo Heights, TX magazine, April 2025.
