Home Genetic Testing for Celiac Disease

Celiac disease affects 1 in every 100 Americans, causing a variety of painful physical and mental symptoms, yet once it’s diagnosed, it can be easily treated with a change in diet, without even the administration of drugs. Unfortunately, it’s as difficult to diagnose as it is easy to treat. Why is that? Doctors don’t know very much about it, and so they don’t even think to test for it. Furthermore, conventional testing methods can often be inaccurate. However, now you can bypass a doctors visit and test yourself for the disease yourself with one-hundred-percent accurate DNA testing.

Celiac disease (also spelled coeliac) is an autoimmune disease caused by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is the only autoimmune disease not funded in its research and by the U.S. government. An estimated 3 million Americans have it and only three percent have been diagnosed. Left untreated, the disease can cause severe health conditions and complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, miscarriage, and even cancer.

Whereas doctors have been using intestinal biopsies and blood antibody tests, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease can both be tested for by using genetic testing. Not only may this be more convenient for those seeking a diagnosis, but it can be more accurate, as the conventional test can often have incorrect results.

How does it work? Genetic tests determine how a fraction of a person’s immune system reacts to gluten. On the other hand, in conventional blood tests, only the gluten found in wheat (gliadin) is measured. Gluten-sensitive and celiac people react differently to gluten, however, with a variety of symptoms, such as intestinal difficulties, migraines, mental problems, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, and psoriasis, just to name a few. DNA testing is the only way to test for gluten intolerance with results that are one-hundred-percent accurate.

In the testing process, a test kit is mailed to one’s home which doesn’t require needles or drawing blood but only calls for cheek swabs. There is thus confidentiality maintained between a person and his insurance company. The results are also quickly returned with a simple positive or negative result, plus a helpful video available for download in the case that one’s results are positive. Additionally, families receive a discount when they purchase 2 or more kits.

Who should get tested? Anyone who has intestinal troubles, chronic fatigue, chronic anemia, skin disorders like eczema, psychological problems, child mental disorders like ADD or autism, diabetes, or any autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis.

As an author, researcher, and gluten-free advocate, I’m always on the lookout for ways to increase the number of American correctly diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. As awareness about gluten intolerance increases in the United States, I’m finding that more and more groups, companies, and individuals are committing themselves to serving the celiac community. The DNA home testing kit is one example of the groundbreaking innovation that’s possible and will surely lead to more diagnoses and less suffering among celiacs.

For more information, visit http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/genetic-testing-for-gluten-sensitivity.

Tina Turbin

http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

From our home to yours, Tina Turbin
If you have any questions or suggestions just email me at info (at) GlutenFreeHelp.info.