Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. In people with coeliac disease, eating gluten provokes an immune response that leads to inflammation and damage to the villi of the small intestine, affecting the absorption of nutrients.
The disease occurs more often in people with a genetic predisposition and can appear at any age. The symptoms of coeliac disease vary and may include both gastrointestinal disturbances and systemic effects.
Symptoms of Coeliac Disease
The most common symptoms include:
- Diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain and constipation.
- Unexplained weight loss and chronic fatigue.
- Anaemia due to iron or vitamin deficiency.
- Skin reactions, such as dermatitis herpetiformis.
- Delayed growth and low weight in children.
- Neurological problems, such as headaches and numbness.
In some people the disease may be silent, without obvious symptoms, but the damage to the small intestine remains.
Blood Tests
Tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (tTG-IgA): the presence of these antibodies is extremely important for the diagnosis of coeliac disease.
Tissue transglutaminase IgG antibodies (tTG-IgG): used in people with IgA deficiency.
Endomysial IgA antibodies (EMA-IgA) and total IgA: used to confirm coeliac disease.
Total IgA: checked to rule out IgA deficiency, which can affect the accuracy of the other tests.
Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is crucial to avoid long-term complications such as osteoporosis, malnutrition, autoimmune diseases and an increased risk of intestinal lymphoma.
Our laboratory offers complete diagnostic services for coeliac disease. Our tests include:
- Reliable blood analyses for tTG-IgA, tTG-IgG, EMA-IgA and total IgA.
- Total IgA testing to assess a possible deficiency.
The laboratory work-up for the diagnosis of coeliac disease, which includes the specific antibodies and total IgA, costs €65.
