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Did you know that the month of May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month?
During this time, organizations and other health-related entities make it their aim to increase the public’s knowledge surrounding the autoimmune disorder. This month, we also want to help educate you and your loved ones about celiac disease. That’s why in this post, we’ll explore at-home celiac disease test kits.
But first, what is celiac disease?
According to celiac.org, celiac disease is a severe genetic autoimmune disease that causes an individual’s small intestine to become damaged from the ingestion of gluten.
Celiac disease is quite common and affects 1 in 100 people worldwide with up to 2.5 million Americans going undiagnosed.
We are using this article to help you take a stand against celiac disease.
Can I do an At-home Celiac Test?
Yes, you can certainly do a celiac disease test from the comfort of your home.
What these Tests Measure
The majority of these tests assess the biomarkers of Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) and Endomysial Antibodies (EMA).
Endomysial Antibodies (EMA) are produced by the body when it believes that it is being attacked. These auto-antibodies are the primary causes of intestinal swelling.
In their response, they will also prevent nutrient absorption into the blood.
If your home celiac test results show high levels of endomysial antibodies, this is an articulation of Celiac disease. At that point, if you have not already done so, contact your medical doctor and share your results.
Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) on the other hand, is an enzyme that repairs damage in the body. When celiac disease is present, there will be high levels of an antibody known as anti-tissue transglutaminase while tTG will have significantly low levels.
Of note, these antibodies are quite harmful and will further damage the intestines.
Some tests also measure the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) that is within your blood. This antibody test can help to determine how your body reacts to different foods.
Benefits of Doing Home Testing for Celiac Disease
Here are three reasons to consider using an at-home celiac test.
Cost – Having your test for celiac disease done at home instead of at a lab or medical office can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars, particularly if you need to screen for celiac disease quite regularly.
Privacy and convenience– Unlike having to go to a lab or a doctor’s office, you can screen for celiac disease in the comfort and privacy of your home. Additionally, many companies have strict privacy policies, so confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Some brands do cost more than others but don’t shop only based on cost, look at the sample collection method and the assessed biomarkers, as well
Sample collection method
A lot of people fear the needle, which is the most common technique used for sample collection at laboratories and doctors’ offices.
However, there are a few at-home celiac disease test kit brands that use a hair sample instead of a finger prick or withdrawing a vial from a vein.
Plus, these kits provide you with a finger prick device where the needle from the lancet stays hidden until collection is complete. It is a clinically-validated method that is just as accurate and generally has less pain than traditional blood test collection.
How can I do an At-home Celiac Test?
Doing home health tests, such as this one for the diagnosis of celiac disease is not usually a difficult process. Each brand will supply a direction sheet that should have quite straightforward steps.
Though the individual steps may vary from brand to brand, the overall process is similar. The differences tend to come into play depending on the type of sample your test kit calls for.
For those associated with celiac disease, the three most common sample types include blood test from a finger prick, mouth swab, and a hair sample.
Typically, the test kits require that you provide blood, urine, saliva, or blood samples.
The Basics Steps
- Search for a reputable company and register online (required for some before purchase and some require it after you have received the kit) with the company you are purchasing the test kit from.
- Once the package gets delivered to you, read the instructions and collect the sample for your celiac home test as directed. Try not to rush, this can cause mistakes, which you really don’t want to happen, as that can spoil your entire kit.
- Once you have collected your sample, package and ship it to the lab address provided. Some kits do not need to be returned, as you will get the test results in minutes.
- Otherwise, you will need to wait a few days for laboratory testing to take place in a CLIA-certified lab.
- Check for your test results, which are usually ready in five to seven days or a few weeks after sample submission.
- If necessary, get medical advice as soon as possible.
Quick Look
- Imaware – monitors your response to gluten to determine your likelihood of having celiac disease using four key celiac-associated biomarkers.
- LetsGetChecked – used to identify celiac disease antibodies with a simple step-by-step guided process.
- Genovate – offers a DNA test that detects nucleotide changes that occur in the three CD-associated alleles of the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genes.
- Targeted Genomics – the Gluten iD at-home celiac test is a non-invasive (without blood or pain) celiac genetics screening method for at-risk family members and those with autoimmune diseases.
- MightyDNA – checks for celiac gluten genes and food sensitivity performed in the comfort of your home.
Overview
Imaware At-home Celiac Test monitors your response to gluten to determine your likelihood of having celiac disease.
Further, this test measures four key celiac-associated biomarkers to screen for celiac disease, including DGP IgG, tTG IgG, DGP IgA, and tTG IgA.
For accurate results, you should continue consuming gluten for 6 to 8 weeks before taking this test.
To help diagnose celiac disease, this kit requires just a few drops of blood from your fingertip.
Highlights
- This test measures four key celiac-associated biomarkers
- You will get your results in 7 business days
- Imaware offers free shipping
- Reports you can actually understand by providing uncomplicated lab test results
- You can conveniently access and review your results online
- It features a simple at-home finger prick method with a state-of-the-art device
- This celiac disease test is performed by CLIA-certified labs, which is the gold standard in lab testing quality regulation
- They provide a sample report that you can view before making your purchase.
Pricing
Imaware’s Celiac Disease Screening Test is available for $119 on the brand’s official website. FSA/HSA cards are accepted.
My Take
This at-home celiac test is suitable for anyone who suspects they have celiac disease, especially if you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps, digestion issues like regular bloating, and unexplained weight loss. Plus, you can benefit from the free shipping that you get with every purchase
Overview
LetsGetChecked at-home celiac test can be used to identify celiac disease antibodies with a simple step-by-step guided process and you can access your online results within five days of submitting your sample.
This celiac test kit checks the levels of Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) and Endomysial Antibodies (EMA) within your blood using the finger prick sample collection method.
Additionally, LetsGetChecked provides an instructional video that you can watch prior to making your purchase to get a clearer idea of how easy it is to collect your sample. The sample must be collected following six weeks of a gluten-containing diet to ensure accurate results.
Highlights
- Offers discounts and free shipping
- The brand provides a sample collection instructional video
- You can access and review your laboratory, confidential results will be available from your secure online account within two to five days.
- LetsGetChecked has a dedicated team of nurses that is available 24/7 and will call you to explain your results.
- LetsGetChecked accepts FSA & HSA cards
- You can activate the test that connects you to the unique alphanumeric barcode within your LetsGetChecked sample collection kit
Pricing
You can purchase this at-home celiac test for $119 on LetsGetChecked’s official website. Also, they offer discounts and accept FSA & HSA card payments.
My Take
This at-home celiac test is ideal for you if you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms after eating products that contain wheat, rye, barley, and oats. It is also suitable for persons experiencing digestive discomfort for over two weeks, diarrhea for over two weeks, or thyroid issues and you can save 30% by using the code HEALTHLINE30 at checkout.
Overview
Genovate offers a DNA test that detects nucleotide changes that occur in the three CD-associated alleles of the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genes (HLA-DQA1*05, HLA-DQB1*02, HLA-DQB1*0302).
CD-associated variants can also pair together to form proteins known as DQ2 and DQ8. The presence or absence of these variants gives an indication of the risk of gluten sensitivity and CD.
The Genovate at-home celiac test kit uses a DNA sample using a painless mouth swab.
Highlights
- Uses painless mouth swab sample collection method
- Genovate provides a paid return envelope for you to use when shipping your sample to the lab
- You will receive your results conveniently online
- There is no age limit for taking this test
- It is accurate even on a gluten-free diet
- Genovate provides 24/7 online status check
Pricing
Genovate’s celiac disease test is available for $249 on their website.
My Take
This test is ideal for anyone on a gluten-free diet who needs to get tested to help with their diagnosis of celiac disease or those who are afraid of even the tiniest needles.
However, anyone experiencing sensitivity, such as bloating, diarrhea, stomach cramps, constipation, appetite changes, pale or bloody stools, nausea, and vomiting to wheat, rye, barley, and oats should consider using this test.
Overview
The Gluten iD at-home test for celiac disease is a non-invasive (without blood or pain) celiac genetics screening method for at-risk family members and those with autoimmune diseases.
The test can be used to identify candidates who would benefit from TTG antibody testing and or small bowel biopsy for celiac disease diagnosis.
Of note, people in NY, NJ, MD, and RI cannot access this test.
Highlights
- In the kit, you will find two cheek swabs, instructions
- They also provide a prepaid mailer for your samples to the laboratory
- You can register your kit via the Targeted Genomics website or scan the QR code on your box
- Your Gluten iD results will be actionable with advice on your next steps in a reporting format designed to share with your doctor
- You will receive a simple, but detailed report
- The Targeted Genomics laboratory uses a technology called next generation sequencing (NGS) for the Gluten ID test
- Painless sample collection method, as there is no need to take blood.
Pricing
The Targeted Genomics Gluten ID test for celiac disease is available for $195 on their website.
My Take
This at-home celiac test from Targeted Genomics can be used by at-risk family members and those with autoimmune diseases. Also, it can be used by anyone who suspects they have celiac disease or those who prefer to avoid needles.
Overview
MightyDNA At-home Celiac Test checks for celiac gluten genes and food sensitivity, performed in the comfort of your home.
This home test kit for celiac disease is quite popular, as it uses a buccal swab process so that users don’t have to worry about pain. Also, MightyDNA takes every precaution and quality assurance protocol to guarantee the accuracy of your test results.
Consequently, you will find that your sample is assessed at MightyDNA USA performed by Sanger or next-generation sequencing analysis with Sanger confirmation.
Highlights
- You will receive an email acknowledging the receipt of the buccal sample
- The company will provide you with an accurate risk report within 5-8 business days after receiving your sample
- You get free access to MightyDNA’s licensed and registered dietitian
- This test can also cover alcohol tolerance, caffeine metabolism, and lactose intolerance
- The efficacy of this test is based on population research done by various institutions
Pricing
The MightyDNA At-home Celiac Test is available for purchase via Amazon for $79.95, plus you can make monthly payments; 1 option from $14.52/month (rates from 10-30% APR). You can also receive free shipping and free returns.
My Take
You should consider using MightyDNA At-home Celiac Test if you are experiencing digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and weight loss. Get free shipping and free returns on every purchase via Amazon.
Are At-home Celiac Tests Accurate?
Yes, the at-home celiac tests are generally accurate. However, their exact accuracy can vary depending on the brands. Typically, each manufacturer will have their product’s accuracy report available for viewing on their website.
What can affect test results accuracy?
The companies that manufacture home testing kits for celiac disease must adhere to regulatory requirements that require that they maintain a certain standard before their products can be sold.
They also undergo in-depth approval to receive certification. In addition, these companies must have your samples assessed in CLIA-certified laboratories to ensure that they are compliant with industry standards.
It is these stringent requirements and rigorous certifications that guarantee the quality and accuracy of the test kits you purchase. These tests may be just as accurate as traditional lab tests.
Notwithstanding, you also play a role in the accuracy of your results, so be sure to read, understand, and follow the directions precisely.
Summary
Without a doubt, these innovative at-home celiac tests facilitate choice, comfort, affordability, convenience, and credibility, as they allow you to check and monitor your gluten tolerance from the comfort of your home.
Further, home testing for celiac disease can be just as accurate as going to a doctor’s office or lab, plus they tend to be less painful.
These best brands on the market provide accuracy reports and clear instructions on how to do their typically easy test. You can also choose from using blood, saliva, or hair samples based on the brand you decide to use.
If you have a history of celiac disease, if you are experiencing what seems like gluten sensitivity, or you need to keep abreast of your celiac biomarkers, consider using a home test.