With the addition of the celiac gene test added to 23andMe.com health report, I have a feeling that everyone will be talking a lot more about the celiac gene test. You can find the celiac gene test under the “Genetic Health Risk Reports” section of your reports section of 23andMe. I purchased 23andMe because I was originally curious about my heritage, but fell in love with the health reports because – being a celiac – I’ve become obsessed with genes and my health. I highly recommend it if you’re a nerd like me.
The links throughout are refer-a-friend links, not affiliate links, to 23andMe.com if you’re interested in purchasing your own health report.
So you have a positive celiac gene test from 23andMe.com. What now?
Well, 23andMe is thankfully really accurate when it comes to explaining celiac disease in the test results.
They say this test “does not test for all possible variants, genes, or haplotypes associated with celiac disease.” We know that the majority of celiac disease patients have either DQ 2.5 or DQ 8 genes. However, there is still more to be told of the celiac story. It’s stated that “95% of all cases of celiac disease are associated with the HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes.” Are you those lucky 5% without the genes that were diagnosed with a blood screener and biopsy? I know at least two people who are!
23andMe.com also says that the test “does not cover other potential gluten- or wheat-related conditions.” This is accurate because non celiac wheat sensitivity (known previously as non celiac gluten sensitivity or gluten sensitivity) is not found in genes, and an IgE blood test and symptoms will reveal a true food allergy to wheat (aka use an EpiPen).
23andMe states that only about 3% of people with one or more copies of the HLA-DQ2.5 or HLA-DQ8 haplotypes develop celiac disease, and about 30% of the general population can carry these genes. This is why the gene test is used alongside with the blood screener and the gold standard (upper endoscopy biopsy) to diagnose celiac. Just because you have the genes does not mean that you currently have celiac disease or will develop celiac disease. And yes, celiac can develop any time – often trigged by sickness, pregnancy, surgery, car accidents and extreme stress. Or…just life!
Again, a positive celiac gene test with 23andMe.com or any other doctor who can order a celiac gene test, does NOT mean that you have celiac or will have celiac in the future. It’s important to follow proper diagnostic protocol if you think you have celiac disease – a blood screen and an upper endoscopy while still eating gluten. Check out this blog post for more information: http://celiacandthebeast.com/2014/06/celiac_disease_testing_screening/
Tagged: 23 and me, 23andme, celiac gene, celiac gene test, celiac genetic test, genetic test
İ want to do this. Thank
Would my own test show if I inherited the gene(s) from my mother and/or father?
Thank you so much for writing this because I was incredibly confused about my results! I have celiac disease but my test from 23andMe came back as negative for carrier status and I was like WHAT?!? I spent so much time trying to figure out how that could be and I just came across your info! Thank you for writing this because I felt like I was nuts haha!!
I have celiac. And do not have the hla dq 2.5 or 8 … I have hla dq 2.2
my biopsy was also only positive in my duodulol bulb… that is a 1%er also