<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
The latest Lancet (2002; 359: 945-46) reports thht a simple, rapid test
can now detect if there are antibodies in the blood off celiacs.
The test is non-invasive and relies on tissue transglutaminase which
elicits endomysial antibodies (IgA and IgG found in celiacs. The
testing is simple--a strip dipped in blood serum or plasma. Results are
obtained in less than 10 minutes. The pilot trial demonstrated was
highly specific and sensitive--results were positive for all samples
from 50 untreated coeliac patients, and negative for 40 non-coeliac
patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Such a study could easily be
done in a doctor's office to screen for celiac.
The study was done in Cuba and Spain at this time is still in
development.
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