How is coeliac disease diagnosed?
To diagnose the coeliac disease, gastroenterologist suggests doing a biopsy. Biopsy is a small operation in which the small tissue is removed or cut from your body for which the biopsy needs to be done. This operation is also called as endoscopy, for doing this operation it requires a local anesthesia.
With the help of flexible telescope this operation is performed. This flexible telescope is entered from the mouth through stomach to the intestine. This telescope helps the gastroenterologist to inspect the linings. To get the small tissue to diagnose coeliac disease a small cut is introduced. If the intestine linings are flat, it means that you are sensitive to gluten.
If the biopsy tests are found positive then your specialist will give treatment according to your biopsy results. Normally the specialists suggest gluten free diet as a regular diet program and the results will be monitored by the specialists for coming half a year. Even after taking necessary treatment for coeliac disease, if no improvement is observed then may be some more tests need to be carried out, because there is a possibility that it may not be coeliac disease and something else. While following the treatment it is very necessary for the patient to be disciplined. The patient is expected to follow the diet strictly to get good results of the coeliac disease treatment.
Some other tests to diagnose coeliac disease are
- CAP-RAST or ELISA blood test. This test also help to diagnose coeliac disease.
- Other blood tests will help to identify the deficiency of iron, deficiency of folic acid or minerals. This will help the expert to give you necessary supplement for over coming the deficiency.
