FacebookGluten has become something of a buzzword in the health and wellness community. The truth is gluten is simply a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye – it isn’t inherently healthy or unhealthy. That being said, it certainly can be a problem for some people who have adverse immune system reactions to it.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by the consumption of gluten. When someone with this condition eats gluten-containing food, it causes an autoimmune response in the body which results in damage to the small intestine. It’s a serious disorder, but it can easily be managed by following a completely gluten-free diet.
Even if you don’t have celiac disease, it’s still possible to have a negative reaction to gluten. Gluten intolerance is a sensitivity to gluten. It may result in digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation, but it doesn’t have any long-term effects on your health.
If you’re wondering whether you’re sensitive to gluten, you might be considering an at-home gluten intolerance test. Here’s what you need to know about these tests.
What is an At-Home Gluten Intolerance Test?
There is no definitive test for gluten intolerance. Your doctor can’t draw your blood or take a stool sample to determine whether you have it. The best thing they can do is rule out celiac disease and wheat allergies. That being said, you may be able to test for food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances at home.
There are several at-home celiac disease kits that involve sending in a small sample of blood to test for antibodies that indicate celiac disease.
If you’ve already ruled out celiac disease, a food sensitivity or intolerance test might be more appropriate. These at-home tests also involve sending in a small blood sample. Many tests screen for a wide variety of food sensitivities, so you might find that gluten isn’t the problem at all. You can even find tests that take hair samples to check your immunoglobulin levels.
Keep in mind when taking a food sensitivity test that the results may not be 100% accurate. These tests usually check for immunoglobulin (IgG) levels – this indicates the levels of different antibodies in your blood at the moment of testing. High IgG levels are normal for foods you eat often, however, so removing foods from your diet based on a positive test may be entirely unnecessary.
The best way to find out if you are sensitive to gluten is to work with an experienced healthcare provider, such as a registered dietitian. Your provider may ask you to perform an elimination test, which involves removing gluten from your diet for a few weeks. Should you find that your symptoms disappear, it’s a good indication that gluten is the problem. You may even try to reintroduce it and if your symptoms come back, it will help confirm your suspicions. You should never undergo any dietary changes or elimination diets without consulting your healthcare team.
Should You Take a Gluten Intolerance Test?
The best reason to take an at-home gluten intolerance test is that you’re experiencing symptoms of the intolerance. These symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Before jumping to any conclusions, however, it’s wise to take a step back to determine whether gluten is really the trigger for these symptoms. While people with celiac disease may not experience symptoms until two to three days later, symptoms of gluten intolerance generally develop within a few hours of eating gluten.
If you’re able to directly link your symptoms to the consumption of gluten-containing foods, it may be worth taking a food sensitivity test.
While you can find the answer to just about any question on Google, it’s generally best not to try to diagnose yourself. If you’re experiencing symptoms, you think are related to gluten intolerance, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and medical history to rule out other potential causes for your symptoms.
Once you know what’s causing your symptoms, you and your doctor can work together to form a treatment plan. In cases of gluten intolerance, the best solution is to avoid it entirely by switching to a gluten free diet.
