If you are experiencing symptoms which you think are related to gluten, or think you have a gluten intolerance, it is important that you rule out coeliac disease first of all. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley and results in the immune system mistaking gluten as a foreign body’ and causing damage to the lining of the gut. Untreated coeliac disease can lead to associated health complications such as anaemia, osteoporosis and a slightly higher risk of certain rare forms of gut cancer.
The first step in testing for coeliac disease is a simple blood test checking for coeliac antibodies carried out by your GP. If the blood test is positive, a referral to a gastroenterologist (gut specialist) at the hospital will be made for further tests. It is necessary to consume gluten regularly throughout the diagnosis process in order for the results to be accurate.
If the tests for coeliac disease are negative, it may be that you have a gluten intolerance meaning you experience symptoms related to gluten but are not at increased risk of the long-term health complications as a result of the intolerance.