The Gluten Syndrome.net.top

Patient Perspectives on Gluten Grain Sensitivities,

Gluten Grain Intolerances,  Celiac Disease,

and the risks of Gluten Challenges for Diagnostic Purposes

(Formerly GlutenSensitivity.net,  www.GlutenReactivity.net)

 

 

 

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Gluten Syndrome Laboratory Test Panels

and

Test Panels which Target Villi Damage only (Celiac disease)

 

Panels are in alphabetical order by Laboratory or Celiac center name.

 

This website has no financial interest in any products or services mentioned here

                                                                                          

                                                                                 

NOTE:  Evidence of the gluten syndrome can be hard to find.  It hides very well often!

Some researchers believe no one test panel covers all possibilities. Gluten can break down into pieces for which there are no tests at this time.  Patients who wish to "leave no known stone unturned" must be prepared to run several types of tests, methodically checking all markers, systems and mediums until they exhaust all known possibilities.  There are several known toxic gluten fractions for which no tests are available at this time.  Research on these markers.

Some researchers also believe that disturbances*** may block the markers for which these tests are looking.   They also believe the body may be too exhausted to even properly process the proteins needed to make very many antibodies. Therefore, if a negatively tested patient still suspects a gluten related reaction, the patient is wise to seriously respect his body's message.

 

Panels on this page test for various combinations of the following known markers, in the following body systems, in the following mediums:

 

                          Gluten Syndrome Antibody Markers                          Body Immune Systems*                           Mediums

 

                   *Gliadin (a "piece" of gluten)  AGA - Anti Gliadin Antibodies       IgA, IgG, IgM, ALCAT                 Blood (serum), Stool, Saliva

                   Gluten (Whole gluten molecule - rarely tested - WHY NOT!!)      IgA, IgG, IgM                             Blood

                   Gluteomorphin (a toxic piece of improperly digested gluten)       IgA, IgG, IgM, ALCAT                 Blood

                   tTG (tissue transglutaminase - elevation indicates gut damage)  IgA, IgG, IgM, ALCAT                 Blood, Stool, Saliva

                   EMA (anti endomysial antibodies - replaced by tTG)                  IgA, IgG,                                   Blood

                   Wheat (whole kernel, to test unknown factors)                         IgA, IgG                                    Blood

                   Overall Intestinal Function (fat malabsorption)                          Molecule size,                           Stool

                   Genes  - HLA DQ 2, 8 only - positive/negative                                                                          Blood or cheek swab

                                OR Your HLA DQ type

                                (Some researchers recognize HLA DQ 1 and 3 and others.

                                 Some believe genes are not needed in all cases,

                                 and blame toxins, stress and infections as causal)                                                    

                   

                   * Several labs now run "deamidated gliadin" which is considered more likely to be positive if an immune response is present.                            

                      

Additionally, some labs test for known cross reactive foods and other potentially problematic substances, gluten grain substitutes/foods and organs/tissues most prone to gluten damage due to their similar protein structure. 

 

Organ/tissue function tests are similar in purpose to a villi biopsy in that they check for damage in many organs and tissues that are not convenient to biopsy. 

 

Note: Quinoa, buckwheat, millet and other non gluten grains are now suspected to be problematic for some patients**.  It may be helpful to test gluten substitutes also.  

 

Some researchers believe that if the gut is still "leaky" (meaning it allows substances to cross the gut wall before they are sufficiently broken down), the body may become reactive to more substances including gluten substitutes. 

 

Some professionals believe the immune system may still be too hypersensitive (runs in "high gear")even on the gluten free diet.  They believe it needs to be "shifted back into neutral" to avoid continued overreaction and autoimmune damage.  Many doctors believe this may involve other lifestyle changes beside going gluten free.  Many patients also choose to reduce or avoid toxins, sugars, grains in general, processed fats and food, electromagnetic radiations.  They switch to more nutrient dense organic, pastured animal foods and sometimes some raw foods, and simplify their lives to avoid stress.

 

The more markers tested in the most places in the body, in the most mediums, the higher the chance of finding evidence somewhere in the body of an adverse reaction to gluten. There is no guaranteed order of testing priority.

 

Patients who test extensively and become convinced that they are not gluten reactive may develop gluten reactivity in the future, often triggered by stressors, toxins, or infections.  According to some researchers, genes are not needed but can predispose to adverse reaction.** 

 

Some patients go gluten free simply because they believe gluten is not good for anyone due to changes in gluten grains and other health issues today.  Without test confirmation, it is more difficult to establish and maintain a lifelong strict gluten free diet, but some patients will not find confirmation with the incomplete tests available today.

 

    * IgA, IgG, IgM are different parts of the immune system

       ALCAT tests the white blood cell reaction to various substances.  It is not an antibody test. 

  ** Dr. Aristo Vojdani PhD, MT, Immunosciences Laboratories, (researcher)

*** Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD  Disturbances may include emotions and body electric issues in some investigators opinions

 

NOTE:  COMING this year, 2009!!

 

A reliable lab has agreed to put together a "progressive" test option for gluten syndrome patients.  This option runs the most inexpensive and most likely to be positive tests first in saliva and blood.  If those tests are negative they continue to test additional antibodies until either a positive is obtained or they run out of available tests.  In this manner the cost is controlled and the patient need only provide specimens once. 

 

If this progressive test is completely run on a patient with negative results, a stool test from www.enterolab.com is still an option or the patient may react to glutenin antibodies for which no tests are currently developed. 

 

For such extreme negative testing patients an elimination diet may give them information if it is instituted long enough for that particular patient.  How long is long enough?  There is no final answer.  This is not an easy situation , but  likely  rare.

In a high percentage of cases when subjects are tested for additional antibodies in more mediums, many more of of them obtain positive results. (ex., in one practice, 77% of patients tested with a complete panel of available gluten related antibodies were positive.)

 

 

 

                                                                                          

 

Click to go directly to a specific lab

ALCAT Worldwide Cell Science Systems

Chicago - University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program

Columbia - Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University

Direct Lab Services

Enterolab

Genova Diagnostics - formerly Great Smokies Laboratories

Immco Diagnostics

 

 

Immunosciences Laboratories - (see Neuroimmunology Labs)

Kimball Genetics

Mayo Clinic

Maryland - University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Neuroimmunology Labs

Optimum Health Resources Labs - (formerly York Allergy Labs)

Prometheus Laboratories

 

This is the only gluten related blood test option for patients who have been gluten free for a very long time.

ALCAT Worldwide  Cell Science Systems

www.alcat.com     email: info@alcat.com

1239 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 101

Deerfield Beach, FL  33442

Phone: (800) US AL CAT (872-5228)   (954) 426 - 2304   Fax: (954)428-8676

The ALCAT test is a separate type of test compared to the antibody panels featured on this page.  This test does not check antibodies. In this method, white blood cells are exposed to various foods and  substances and the reaction of the white blood cells, such as swelling, granulation, etc., is observed.  Adverse white blood cell reactions may occur for many reasons.  The test process does not indicate why the response occurs or if it is autoimmune. It is only believed by some to indicate that there is an adverse reaction.  It does NOT rule out other types of reactions such as antibody formation or processes science has not yet discovered.  For more information see  www.alcat.com

This test is controversial.  Many professionals believe it is not scientifically reliable and will simply show positive for foods eaten frequently.  Many patients claim the results help them pinpoint their problem foods but not necessarily gage the severity of the reaction.

Here is a simple analogy to explain the difference between the ALCAT test and traditional blood or stool tests for IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies. To look for antibodies in the IgA, IgG or IgM systems  is similar to calling in the Army, Navy and Air Force to find a criminal. (See "Stories to Help Us Understand" on the "Testing" page).  The ALCAT method is likened to calling in the National Guard.  It's claimed to be another place to look for proof of adverse response.  As with antibody tests, a positive ALCAT test is thought to be proof of a problem, but a negative test does NOT guarantee the substance is safe since OTHER BODY SYSTEMS MAY REACT.

 

Panels  range from 50 items tested to over 200.  Prices range from $87.50 - $999

 

This lab includes gliadin ( a part of wheat gluten) and gluten tests in their panels.  They also test separately for barley, rye and other grains.  Doctor prescription is not mandatory and arrangements are available for a mobile nurse/phlebotomist to perform the blood draw at home.  Post test counseling is included in the test package.  This is the only blood test available for patients who have been strictly gluten free for a very long time.

     

Chicago, University of - The  University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program

Founder/Medical Director - Dr. Stefano Guandalini  

Program Director - Carol McCarthy Shilson

5839 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 4069, Room C-491

Chicago, IL 60637

Phone - 773-702-7593       Website www.celiacdisease.net

UniversityiofiChicago  CeliaciDiseasei

Program's Recommended TestsiSpecificallyifor

CeliaciDiseasei

Mediumttested: Blood

Genettest:iBlood
IgA   x     x   x        
IgD                      
IgE                      
IgG                      
IgM                      
TotalIIgA                      
GeneiHLAiDQi2,,8               x      
DetermineiwhichiHLAiDQ                 

 

      
IntestinaliBiopsyi(villi)                      
IntestinaliMalabsorption                      
SkiniBiopsyiforiDH                     x
Colitisttest((GSipanelialso recommended)                      

      

This is a typical short "celiac focused" villi damage only panel.

 

These panels check only 1 or 2 of many known gluten related antibodies that a particular patient may produce. 

Therefore a negative test may not necessarily indicate that the patient does not react to gluten.

 

If this antibody panel is positive this Center teaches that ONLY intestinal villi or skin damage are diagnostic indicators of gluten related damage. Therefore they recommend intestinal villi or skin biopsy as a "gold standard" for dx of immune reaction to gluten and treatment with gluten free diet. 

 

     Celiac Disease Screener tTG-IgA     Gene test      Additional options EMA -IgA,  and/or Total IgA      

                                  

This is a recommended panel by University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program.  This is not a commercial lab.

 

Columbia, University of - Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University

Dr. Peter H. R. Green MD - Director

For general education and information contact Hal Winfield    Phone 212-342-0251

Website - www.celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu

CeliaciDiseaseiCenter atiUniversityiof Columbia

recommendediceliac

panel

Mediumttested: Blood

Genettest:i
IgA x x     x          
IgD                    
IgE                    
IgG x                  
IgM                    
TotalIIgA             x