Why you should use Genetics before Antibodies in Celiac Disease Screening

A simple cheek swab is so much more comfortable than an invasive blood test. But that’s not the reason celiac disease risk screening should always start with genetics. Celiac disease testing traditionally began with searching for antibodies, but this approach can lead to missed diagnosis and is only usually ordered when symptoms are present. We know celiac symptoms can be sneaky and staying one step ahead of them can prevent a lot of damage. 

Below, we explore the value of antibody testing and explain how it leads to problematic results without genetic testing to help with diagnosis. 

What is Antibody Testing for Celiac Disease?

When somebody with celiac disease consumes gluten, the body produces specific antibodies that can be detected in the blood. Testing for these antibodies is a critical part of diagnosing the disease, but the results of this test alone do not give the full picture. 

Antibody Testing is a Crucial Part of Testing for Celiac Disease

Not everyone with a positive genetic risk for celiac disease will go on to develop the disease. And following up signs and symptoms with antibody testing is the best way to track its development. Testing for antibodies should be the next step in diagnosis for people with: 

• Any signs and symptoms of celiac disease with positive genetic results
• Positive genetic risk results and a diet that contains gluten 

For screening, genetic testing should always come first. Genetic positive and/or symptomatic individuals who are consuming dietary gluten can then be regularly monitored by antibody testing.

When Antibody Testing is Ineffective or Insufficient 

Blood testing for antibodies is part of a gold standard system for diagnosing celiac disease and labs are increasingly advertising direct to consumer blood testing. But there are some instances where patients may see negative antibody results despite still having celiac disease. 

For other patients, antibody testing is not a useful diagnostic tool and wastes time and money while delaying the diagnosis of symptoms. Antibody testing is not recommended for people who:

Have Negative Genetic Testing Results

People who lack the DQ2, DQ8, and DQ7 genes associated with celiac disease have a less than 1% chance of developing the immune disorder. The majority of people are negative for these genes and wouldn’t benefit from antibody testing. Genetic testing can prevent unnecessary costs for patients and speed up diagnosis of the cause of their symptoms. 

Already Adopted a Gluten Free Diet

Testing for celiac disease antibodies requires gluten in the diet to detect the body’s reaction to it. For people who have already adopted a gluten free diet, antibody testing alone can lead to false-negative results and a delay in diagnosis. 

The Benefits of Genetic Testing for Silent Celiac Disease

Genetic testing is the future of wellness as we can proactively see our risk factors and avoid damage diseases like celiac. As genetic testing for celiac disease can pretty much rule the disease out for most people, it should be considered the first line test for spotting the disease or calculating risk. 

At-home genetic testing is:

• • Affordable: An excellent way to prevent unnecessary testing costs, Targeted Genomics genetic testing is an affordable first step to diagnose symptoms and get an overall picture of your risk. 
  • Non-invasive: Unlike other testing methods requiring blood draws and invasive endoscopy procedures, GlutenID uses a painless cheek swab to collect DNA for analysis. 
  • Convenient: No appointments and no office visits. Genetic celiac disease risk testing is mailed to your home and includes simple instructions for return. Get notified by email when your results are ready.  
  • Ruling out celiac disease: Diagnosing symptoms can be faster when you know what isn’t causing them. Genetic testing can rule out celiac disease and make diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms faster and cheaper. 
  • Proactive: By testing your genetic risk profile, you can stay ahead of the game and avoid damage caused by silent celiac disease. If you are at risk for the disease, intermittent antibody testing can catch the development of the disease before it causes problems. 

• Eliminates redundant testing: For people with negative genetic risk results, additional antibody testing is unnecessary, saving the healthcare system and patients a lot of money. 

Celiac Genetic Risk Testing with Targeted Genomics 

Knowing your GlutenID® goes much further than simply testing for celiac disease genes. At Targeted Genomics, we calculate your risk from low to high, based on the combination of any celiac disease genes you carry. This specific risk assessment is helpful to determine your chance of developing the disease and lays the foundation for further testing for people with symptoms to confirm a diagnosis. 

Convenient, affordable, and proactive, Targeted Genomics makes it easy to know your risk and start your journey to diagnosis.