Celiac Disease Testing in Ireland
Understand Your Symptoms, Get the Right Tests, and Learn What Your Results Mean
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten triggers the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this damage can reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhoea, weight loss, iron deficiency and vitamin deficiencies.
Many people with coeliac disease remain undiagnosed for years because symptoms can be mild, intermittent or mistaken for other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
At MyBloods, we offer a range of laboratory tests that can help investigate coeliac disease and identify associated nutritional deficiencies.
What is Celiac Disease ?
Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or food intolerance. It is an autoimmune disease caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, the immune system damages the small intestine, reducing its ability to absorb nutrients.
Untreated coeliac disease can increase the risk of:
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Osteoporosis
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Fertility problems
- Poor growth in children
- Neurological symptoms
- Other autoimmune diseases
Common Symptoms
Who should consider testing ?
Testing may be appropriate if you:
- Have persistent digestive symptoms
- Have unexplained iron deficiency
- Have chronic fatigue
- Have osteoporosis at a young age
- Have Type 1 diabetes
- Have autoimmune thyroid disease
- Have a close relative with coeliac disease
- Have dermatitis herpetiformis
- Have unexplained vitamin deficiencies
Which Blood Tests Are Used?
Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA)
This is the preferred first-line blood test for most adults.
It detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to gluten exposure.
A positive result suggests coeliac disease but usually requires confirmation by a specialist.
Total IgA
Some people have IgA deficiency.
If Total IgA is low, the standard tTG-IgA test may give a falsely negative result.
Testing Total IgA alongside tTG-IgA improves diagnostic accuracy.
Endomysial Antibodies (EMA)
EMA testing is highly specific for coeliac disease.
It is often used to confirm positive tTG results.
HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 Genetic Testing
Genetic testing does not diagnose coeliac disease.
Instead, it determines whether you carry the genes associated with developing the condition.
Approximately 95% of people with coeliac disease carry HLA-DQ2, while most of the remainder carry HLA-DQ8.
If neither HLA-DQ2 nor HLA-DQ8 is present, coeliac disease becomes very unlikely.
Genetic testing is particularly useful when:
- You have already started a gluten-free diet.
- Blood antibody tests are inconclusive.
- A small bowel biopsy is uncertain.
- A close family member has coeliac disease.
Nutritional Tests Often Recommended
Because untreated coeliac disease affects nutrient absorption, your doctor may also recommend testing:
- Iron studies
- Ferritin
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
These tests help identify deficiencies that may require treatment.
Preparing for Your Test
If you are having antibody tests for coeliac disease, you should continue eating gluten before testing unless advised otherwise by your healthcare professional.
Stopping gluten before testing may reduce antibody levels and lead to a false negative result.
Genetic testing (HLA-DQ2/DQ8) is different—it is not affected by whether you are eating gluten.
Understanding Your Results
A positive antibody test does not always confirm coeliac disease.
Further assessment, often including referral to a gastroenterologist, may be recommended.
A negative antibody test reduces the likelihood of coeliac disease but does not exclude it in every situation.
If you have already removed gluten from your diet, antibody tests may become negative even if you have the condition.
Genetic testing can be particularly useful in these circumstances.
Can I Be Tested If I Am Already Gluten-Free?
Yes—but the appropriate test depends on your circumstances.
Antibody tests are most accurate when you are regularly consuming gluten.
If you have already adopted a gluten-free diet, HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genetic testing can help determine whether coeliac disease remains a possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blood test diagnose coeliac disease?
Blood tests are an important part of diagnosis but are usually interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history and, in some cases, an intestinal biopsy.
Should I stop eating gluten before testing?
No. Unless advised by your healthcare provider, you should continue eating gluten before antibody testing.
Can children be tested?
Yes. Coeliac disease can occur at any age, including childhood.
Does everyone with HLA-DQ2 develop coeliac disease?
No.
Many healthy people carry HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 and never develop coeliac disease.
Can coeliac disease develop later in life?
Yes.
Although it often develops during childhood, coeliac disease can first appear in adulthood or later life.
Related Tests
People investigating coeliac disease often consider:
- Tissue Transglutaminase IgA
- Total IgA
- Endomysial Antibodies
- HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 Genetic Testing
- Ferritin
- Iron Studies
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
Why Choose Mybloods ?
- Accredited laboratory test
- Flexibl
- Fast turnaround times
- Wide range of digestive and nutritional health tests