How Can I Test for Gluten Intolerance?

You’re convinced you might  have a problem with wheat. Maybe you’re concerned with some of problematic proteins in wheat, or maybe some of the practical reasons to ditch the wheat, but probably what you’re really worried about are some of the diseases and long-term damage wheat can do to your body.

Maybe you are asking how can you test for gluten intolerance? Below I’m going to outline tests you can you have your doctor run to determine if wheat is a causing you a problem. Are you looking for more tips for going gluten free? I’ve gathered them all together in one easy-to-read page about Everything Gluten Free.

It’s hard to give up those beloved breads and pastas. Trust me, I’ve been there! It’s always nice to know for sure if you should completely eliminate something as tasty and delicious as wheat. Is there a way to definitively determine whether you have a problem with wheat?

Yes and no. There is testing. But, there is one major problem with testing: it isn’t comprehensive. Below are some of the tests that you can ask for, if you suspect you have a problem with gluten sensitivity. (Remember, wheat sensitivity takes many different forms) 

.

Tests to Determine Wheat Sensitivity

1. A standard allergy scratch or intradermal test can give you some insight, though often people who have problems with wheat don’t react to this test. Surprisingly, this is one test I DID react to. Prior to this test I had been mostly gluten-free, but I splurged from time to time. Now, I don’t knowingly consume wheat and I’ve found since I’ve given it up when I do consume it my body lets me know it does not like it. This is normal for your body to be more sensitive—it means your body has begun the healing process.

2. Antibody blood tests (specifically IgG and IgA) look for immune system reactions. It may or may not mean you have a problem with wheat, but it would be a clue if your levels were elevated. I also had this test done, but my levels were not elevated.

3. HLA-DQ  is a genetic test. It’s much more sensitive and picks up problems in many more people than the antibody tests.

4. The intestinal biopsy used to be the considered the gold standard for testing for celiac disease, but it’s not a very good test as it isn’t very accurate. Just think, your intestines cover a LARGE surface area. When doctors do this biopsy they are looking for damage to the cillia in your intestines. A biopsy is a test of a miniscule portion of your intestines. The problem is, there are a lot (and I mean a lot) of false negatives. Some people have many intestinal biopsies done over the course of their life before one comes back positive. Think of all of the damage that gluten has done to that persons body in that time frame because some doctors insist that there must be a positive biopsy before a diagnosis can be made!

5. There are also some new saliva and blood tests from Cryex Laboratories that sound quite promising at detecting gluten sensitivities. From initial reports it sounds as if they are much better at detecting problems with gluten, but only time will tell if they can truly do the job. The biggest problem with Cryex tests is it’s doubtful that your insurance will cover them.

.

The Problem with Lab Tests

They can expensive.

They can be intrusive.

They’re often incorrect (lots of false negatives).

.

Best Test for Gluten Sensitivities

What’s the best way to tell if you have a problem with wheat? Give it up. Give wheat up for a minimum of 2 months with strict adherence. Some people can tell a different within days, but it can take months for gluten to clear out of your system. Months. Sometimes longer than just 2 months.

My last word of warning, even if you don’t experience alleviation in your problems, if you don’t have diseases like an autoimmune disease, infertility, or other diseases that demonstrate long-term damage, I’d strongly urge you to cut all gluten indefinitely.

Individuals who continue to eat wheat despite having a sensitivity to gluten will continue on a downward spiral which may include gluten induced malnutrition. The body may begin to attack itself resulting in diseases such as: memory loss, cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, nerve damage, muscle pain, fatigue, and more.

You may notice that I haven’t covered everything I promised to cover in my initial post on wheat and gluten. Unfortunately, this beast ended up being too large to cover in just 4 posts! I will attempt to cover some of the topics I missed in the coming months, so be on the lookout for them! Also, be sure to check out the post my husband wrote earlier this week: Is Gluten-Free Biblical: Wheat and Bread in the Bible.

Why Go Wheat-Free?

When our family went wheat-free, we had many questions from friends and family. This is the heart behind our book, Weeding Out Wheat. In the book you’ll learn more about the harmful effects of wheat on the body based on current medical research. You’ll also learn about how, as Christians, we’ve reconciled our wheat-free lifestyles while reading a bread-filled Bible.

Buy it in our store (PDF) for $9.95. You can also buy it on Amazon (Kindle) and paperback.

Photo credit