Q & A
Return to ->Ask the Doctor->Tests and Their Results | QUESTION: How can I tell if this disease is in my genes or not? Does having the HQ8 marker come back positive mean yes its in my genes, or do I need both the HQ2 and the HQ8 markers together to mean its a positive? My sister has both, so if I have only the HQ8 marker as a positive and the HQ2 as a negative does it still mean I have it in my genes? Thank you for trying to help answer this question. | | DR. RUDERT: The value of genetic testing is only to rule out Celiac Disease. 95% of Celiacs are thought to be positive for HLA DQ2 and 5% for HLA DQ8. You must have one of these genes or both (approximately 99% of the time - rare exceptions may apply) in order to develop Celiac Disease. I think of it like a lock and a key. The lock is HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 positivity; however, you must have the key to turn it on. The key is one of a variety of triggers which may include: prior illinesses, surgery, antibiotic use, excessive ingestion of gluten and the postpartum period, to name a few. 37% of all Americans are HLA DQ2 and/or HLA DQ8 positive. Once again, this genetic test is only of value if it is negative; therefore, ruling out Celiac Disease. |
|
