Genetic Testing for Celiac Disease

The probability of having celiac disease is higher in males than females. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. Genetic testing can accurately predict the probability of having celiac disease. Genetic testing can also predict the probability of being a carrier of celiac disease. Read o to know more.Genetic testing for celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder requires a swab sample from the mouth or a blood sample. This testing can accurately predict the risk probability of the celiac disease along with the statistical probability of the individual’s offspring inheriting the same risk. A severe celiac disease is found to occur if both the parents are carriers of this gene. The testing also includes gluten sensitivity. In this articleHow are the Results Interpreted?Determines Risk to Individual and His OffspringIt is Complex TestType of Diet does not Impact this TestInsurance Coverage is LimitedAccuracy of the TestFindings of the TestHow are the Results Interpreted? There are two high risk genetic patterns: DQ2 and DQ8. If any portions of these two variants are absent, it means there is almost no probability of celiac disease occurring in that individual. Such a result is considered to be 99.9% accurate. There is another genetic testing for this disease which is known as negative celiac genetic testing. A lot of clinicians are apprehensive about its efficacy due to a large number of cases that point out its ineffectiveness. The accuracy of negative celiac genetic testing solely depends upon the entire HLA DQ pattern, inclusive of both the alpha and beta subunits. Both the DQ2 and DQ8 genetic patterns have alpha and beta subunits. But the inaccuracies of the genetic tests are due to the fact that only the beta subunit is tested by most clinics. The DQ typing is a very complicated procedure. So much so, even the scientists and physicians have a tough time in apprehending the genetic findings. So in most of the cases the genetic testing reports do not contain all the relevant information and even if they are present, they are not adequately considered. Gluten sensitivity or intolerance cannot be ascertained through the absence of DQ2 and DQ8 in the celiac genetic testing reports. The DQ2 and DQ8 are basically genetic white blood cell patterns. It is important to understand that both the two variants are necessary in order to contract the celiac disease. There is a new study that tells us that a negative celiac genetic testing cannot rule out the possibility of celiac disease, particularly in men. Facts of Celiac Genetic Testing Here are some important facts on genetic testing for celiac disorder. Determines Risk to Individual and His Offspring - The genetic tests can offer extensive information on both the individual and his offspring’s risk. It is Complex Test - It is rather peculiar to this genetic test that the doctor may not be aware of this genetic test or be unsure on when to suggest and even fail to interpret the reports, given the complexity of the genetic test. Type of Diet does not Impact this Test - There is no impact of the type of diet in this test. Since there is a gluten sensitivity test, it does not mean that a pro-gluten or gluten free diet will have any impact on the test results. But while testing for the celiac disease antibodies, one should follow a pro-gluten diet. Insurance Coverage is Limited - A lot of insurance companies do not offer any coverage for celiac genetic testing. Here are some diagnostic codes that can prove to be helpful while you are considering an insurance coverage – 579.0 (for celiac disease) and V84.89 (for genetic susceptibility for the same disease). Accuracy of the Test - As said earlier, the accuracy of the genetic test depends on the testing of both the alpha and beta subunits. So it is important that when you are given a negative genetic test report, make sure that it is not simply a beta typing and you have been tested for the alpha and beta subunits of the HLA DQ.Findings of the Test - If the person tested is a man, you need to take note of the fact that a negative genetic test might exclude the possibility of the occurrence of celiac disease just like a negative blood test. If the man happens to be of an advanced age and has been suffering from a ling standing severe disease, it is more likely that they would have a negative genetic and blood test. Celiac disease can be called gender specific as a man’s risk of having the disease is higher compared to the woman particularly if the classic growth pattern is absent in her. Then there is a possibility of the blood test being negative too. But the probability heightens of the woman inherited the risk gene from her father instead of her mother.