Screening is done to find a problem and treat it early. Tests are given to people who do not have symptoms but who may be at high risk.
Guidelines
There are no current screening guidelines for the disease. Screening tests may be done on people who are at high risk, such as:
- People with a parent or sibling with the disease
- Children who are at least 3 years old and having symptoms that are not caused by other health problems
- People who have health problems that raise the risk, such as:
- Down syndrome
- Type 1 diabetes
- Turner syndrome
- Problems with the immune system
Screening Tests
One or more of these tests may be done:
- Gluten challenge—A person eats a gluten-based food for 6 to 8 weeks. Then, a blood test is done to look for antibodies linked to celiac disease.
- Blood tests—to look for gluten antibodies, immune deficiencies, or faulty genes
- Biopsy —A scope is used to take a small sample of tissue from the small intestine and test it for celiac disease
References
Celiac disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/celiac-disease. Accessed May 3, 2022.
Celiac disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/malabsorption-syndromes/celiac-disease. Accessed May 3, 2022.
Celiac disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease. Accessed May 3, 2022.
What is celiac disease? Celiac Disease Foundation website. Available at: https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease. Accessed May 3, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
- Update Date: 05/03/2022