Can You Test For Gluten at Home?

You can test for gluten with a rapid gluten test kit that uses either a dip-stick or cotton swab. These kits can detect traces of the protein found in wheat, barley and rye grains.

You may want to consider taking a genetic test for celiac disease, which looks for specific gene markers that could indicate your likelihood of developing the condition. Unfortunately, this test cannot diagnose celiac disease. This test utilizes an antibody that specifically recognizes a 33-mer peptide from the gliadin fraction of gluten protein – this peptide causes celiac disease-induced autoimmunity.

Types

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye that gives dough its elastic nature and allows it to rise.

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea and skin rashes in those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gluten can also trigger an inflammatory response that damages the small intestines in those individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Test for celiac disease at home with a blood test that measures antibodies linked to the disease. These tests are more cost-effective than visiting your doctor and require no special equipment or expertise.

One type of at-home test for coeliac disease is a kit that tests for an antibody called tissue transglutaminase (tags) antigen. This antibody can be highly accurate and specific to coeliac disease.

Cost

Testing for gluten at home can be done through two types of antibody tests and a genetic test. The antibody tests measure the levels of autoantibodies in your blood, which are typically produced when someone with celiac disease consumes gluten.

The DNA Celiac Disease Test detects gene variations associated with celiac disease, such as HLA-DQA1*05 and HLA-DQB1*02. Results will usually be available within one to three days after sending back your kit.

The Gluten Sensitivity Test is a convenient and accurate home blood spot home test that checks for coeliac disease, or gluten sensitivity. All you need to do is pinch off one finger using a sterile lancet, take five minutes and get instant results – simply wait five minutes!

Accuracy

Home testing kits offer a quick and convenient way to check for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. All that’s required is a finger prick of blood that will then be sent off to be analysed at a lab.

In some cases, this test can diagnose coeliac disease and determine if someone has an autoimmune condition that could benefit from a gluten-free diet. However, the accuracy of these tests depends on a person’s usual gluten intake as well as the quality of their food intake.

One type of home test detects four antibodies associated with celiac disease, while another analyses DNA in the bloodstream to see whether certain genes have been inherited by the patient – this latter method being more accurate.

Availability

The good news is that there are several tests you can do at home to detect gluten sensitivity. These include blood tests for antibodies linked to celiac disease and DNA tests which examine genes associated with gluten sensitivity.

Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system overreacts to gluten. People living with this condition experience symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, fatigue and skin complaints.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is an abnormal reaction to gluten that may cause similar symptoms as celiac disease. The main distinction is that those with celiac disease experience an autoimmune response and damage to their small intestine.

Conclusion

The Celiac Disease Screening Test is an easy, at-home blood test that detects four antibodies linked to celiac disease. It has been approved by Beyond Celiac and can help determine if gluten should be avoided.