Get the gluten test

My clinical experience that the gluten blood test “IgG-gliadin antibody” is an excellent way to detect gluten-sensitivity (the gluten syndrome).  But it is not a good test to diagnose coeliac disease.

Because of medical scepticism about the gluten-sensitivity diagnosis, and because this gluten test does not diagnose coeliac disease, this test has been shut down in Auckland.  This is very frustrating for everyone.

Send blood sample to Christchurch

However, Auckland Diagnostic Medlab, when asked, will courier your blood sample down to Christchurch MedLab for testing (they charge about $70 for this service). You must very clearly identify the IgG-gliadin request on your blood form.

See your GP

To get this test, you need your own GP to fill out your blood form. Ask for these tests:

• tTG antibody (also called IgA tissue transglutaminase antibody)
• IgG-gliadin (also called IgG anti-gliadin antibody)
• IgA-gliadin (also called IgA anti-gliadin antibody)

• Total IgA antibody levels (looking for deficiency in IgA antibody production)
• Ferritin (a measure of your iron stores)
• Hb (Haemoglobin to check for anaemia)
• CRP (called C-Reactive-Protein to look for evidence of inflammation)

Email me for help with the interpretation.

Because the Auckland GPs are unfamiliar with the gliadin test, they are unsure of the interpretation. So if you email me your blood test results, I will help with the interpretation.  I will have a page on this website to help you more soon.

The reasons for laboratories to abandon the gluten tests are as follows:
1) Most Medical Practitioners are currently only looking for coeliac disease.
2) Currently, the best blood test available for identifying coeliac disease is the tTG test.
3) Most Medical Practitioners have been trained to disregard IgG-gliadin results in the diagnosis of coeliac disease.
4) The diagnosis of gluten-sensitivity is often regarded with some scepticism, because the concept of the gluten syndrome is very recent.

The Gluten Syndrome affects about 10% of the population.