Celiac disease blood test

Persistent digestive complaints, fatigue, or a suspicion of gluten intolerance can be reasons to consider a celiac disease blood test. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten triggers antibodies that may damage the small intestine. This test measures celiac antibodies in the blood and can be a first step, together with your GP, in deciding whether further investigation may be useful. The result is not a diagnosis, but provides data you can discuss with a doctor.

This test may be relevant for people who:

• Experience ongoing digestive complaints such as bloating, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain
• Have unexplained fatigue or anaemia
• Want to investigate a suspicion of gluten intolerance
• Have a family member with celiac disease
• Would like to know whether celiac antibodies are present before speaking with a doctor

Want to understand the difference between celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and a gluten allergy? We explain that further down.

This panel focuses on celiac serology and measures two antibodies in the blood:

• Anti-tTG (anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA): the most widely used celiac antibody. An elevated anti-tTG IgA value is often associated with celiac disease.
• Endomysial IgA (EMA): an antibody that complements the anti-tTG result and can help support the presence of an autoimmune reaction to gluten.

Together, these celiac antibodies form a commonly used combination for screening for celiac disease.

The presence of anti-tTG and endomysial IgA antibodies may indicate an autoimmune reaction associated with celiac disease. A result within the reference range makes celiac disease less likely, while elevated values may be a reason for follow-up. It is important to know that this blood test is a screening and not a definitive diagnosis. Celiac disease is usually confirmed through additional investigation, such as an intestinal biopsy, which your GP can arrange. Always discuss an abnormal result with your GP.

For this celiac disease blood test, blood is drawn at a certified sample point. There are over 750 locations across the Netherlands. You order the test yourself online, no referral needed, and then choose a location and time that suit you. Unlike a home test or self-test, the blood is drawn by a trained professional so that the celiac antibodies can be reliably measured in a laboratory.

A celiac disease blood test may be considered when:

• You have digestive or abdominal complaints that persist
• You experience unexplained fatigue, anaemia, or weight loss
• Celiac disease runs in your family
• You want to investigate a suspicion of gluten intolerance further

For a reliable result, it is important that you are still eating gluten at the time of testing. If you have already removed gluten from your diet, the antibodies may decrease and the result may be less reliable.

Each celiac antibody is shown with your value alongside the reference range. An elevated anti-tTG IgA or endomysial IgA value may indicate an autoimmune reaction associated with celiac disease. Values within the reference range make celiac disease less likely. There is an important caveat: some people have an IgA deficiency, which can cause an IgA-based test to give a false-negative result. This panel does not include a total IgA measurement, so if complaints persist, discuss with your GP whether further investigation may be useful. The result is a data point, not a diagnosis.

Fasting is not required for this test. In the weeks before the test, keep eating gluten as usual, since this is needed to measure celiac antibodies reliably. If you take medication that affects the immune system, discuss with your GP whether this could influence the result.

Your results are typically available within a few working days. Each celiac antibody is shown with your value, the reference range, and a clear explanation. Every blood test result also includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP, who can determine whether further investigation, such as an intestinal biopsy, is needed.