Q & A

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QUESTION: Is a blood test alone enough to diagnose celiac disease?

DR. RUDERT: Unfortunately, Celiac Disease cannot be diagnosed solely based on blood testing. I had the honor of being present at the formation of the Celiac Standardization Group where US and International experts all agreed that small bowel biopsy is needed to make the diagnosis and blood testing is not able to replace a small bowel biopsy, at least not at this point in time. Interestingly, tissue transglutaminase positivity correlates with total villous atrophy. Twenty (20%) percent of individuals with Celiac Disease may even be seronegative. It is important to have small bowel biopsy prior to initiating a gluten-free diet since healing may occur as early as six (6) weeks.

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