Coeliac Profile

This profile is a comprehensive blood screen for coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten triggers the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. The panel measures a range of antibodies that the body produces in response to gluten, providing a thorough assessment to help identify whether coeliac disease may be present.

What the panel measures

• tTG IgA (tissue transglutaminase): the main first-line antibody test for coeliac disease, and the most sensitive marker
• Endomysial IgA: a highly specific antibody used to help confirm the diagnosis
• Total Immunoglobulin A (IgA): an essential check, because some people have a natural IgA deficiency that can cause the IgA-based tests above to give a falsely negative result
• Gliadin IgA and Gliadin IgG: antibodies to gliadin, a component of gluten
• Reticulin IgA: a further antibody that can be associated with coeliac disease

A very important note before testing

For these tests to be accurate, you must be eating gluten regularly in the period before the test. If you have already cut gluten from your diet, your body may stop producing the antibodies, which can lead to a falsely negative result. Current guidance is to eat gluten in more than one meal every day for at least six weeks before testing. Please do not start a gluten-free diet until testing is complete.

An important note on interpretation

A positive result strongly suggests coeliac disease but is not a final diagnosis on its own. Confirmation usually requires a gut biopsy arranged through a specialist. Equally, a negative result does not always completely rule the condition out. For these reasons the result is always interpreted alongside your symptoms and other clinical information, and any positive or abnormal result should be discussed with your GP.

Why it matters

Coeliac disease is common but often goes undiagnosed for years, and untreated it can lead to problems such as nutrient deficiencies, anaemia, and weakened bones. Identifying it allows for the right dietary changes and follow-up, which can greatly improve symptoms and protect your long-term health.