Safescreen Home Test Kits

Coeliac or Celiac disease is also known as Wheat or Gluten intolerance. Whatever the name, Coeliac disease is a serious, genetically inherited disease. Unfortunately, it goes undiagnosed all too often since the symptoms can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Coeliac disease differs greatly from IBS. It is potentially a much more serious condition in which the small intestine becomes damaged by eating gluten, found in many foods. The importance of an early diagnosis of gluten intolerance cannot be over stressed.  Left undiagnosed and untreated, coeliac disease will mean you are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, infertility and bowel cancer later on in life.

Although Coeliac disease can sometimes be an embarrassing and uncomfortable illness, it can be easily treated when diagnosed. Many people suffer unnecessarily because they don't know that gluten intolerance is actually the cause of their problems.

What are the symptoms of wheat intolerance?

Coeliac disease can be diagnosed at any age. It is associated with a wide range of symptoms. However some symptoms are very subtle and often go undiagnosed for many years, leading to people suffer unnecessarily.  About half of all adults affected with Coeliac disease have no bowel problems at all, but typical symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Extreme tiredness (a sign of anaemia)
• Depression
• Irritability
• Bone pain
• Mouth ulcers
• Itchy skin (Dermatitis)
• Nutritional deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D
• Increased risk of developing lymphoma T. cells
• Infertility
• Osteoporosis (5% from celiac disease)
• Muscle cramps (due to lack of calcium)
• Swollen legs and face (This is called edema and is due to a lack of protein in the blood)

Symptoms of coeliac disease differ between children and adults. Symptoms do not appear (in infants) until gluten-containing foods (bread, cereal) are introduced into the diet. Childhood symptoms can include any of the following:

• Irritability and a failure to gain weight are usually the first symptoms
• Poor appetite
• Pale, bulky stools that smells unpleasant
• Vomiting and diarrhoea (this may lead to a misdiagnosis of gastroenteritis)
• Swollen stomach
• Arm and leg muscles may become wasted and thin
• Short stature
• Delay in the onset of puberty

What causes wheat intolerance or Coeliac disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which there is a chronic immune reaction to gluten. This reaction leads to the destruction of the intestinal wall, causing poor absorption of nutrients with consequent, associated problems.

Can you catch Coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is not contagious; you cannot catch it or pass it on through any form of contact. It is a genetic disorder, so your chances of developing it are higher if a parent or sibling has the condition.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a natural substance which is found in wheat, barley and rye which are ingredients in many foods including bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, biscuits, cakes and pastries. Gluten is a mixture of two storage proteins, gliadin and glutenin. When combined with water, gluten becomes sticky and forms the familiar texture of dough.

Gluten intolerance is a permanent, genetically inherited condition. If you have coeliac disease then eating gluten causes your immune system to produce antibodies that attacks the delicate lining of your small intestine. Your intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients and vitamins from food. If it is damaged, it can leads to serious, lifelong, gastrointestinal disorders that can cause a wide range of problems.

How does the test work?

The SafeScreen Coeliac Test detects high levels of IgA anti-transglutaminase antibodies. This is the established blood test for coeliac disease and involves exactly the same reagents used by medical laboratories. Traditionally, the diagnosis of Coeliac disease requires a biopsy and must be conducted in a hospital.

What are the treatments for Gluten Intolerance?

Unfortunately it's not possible to prevent coeliac disease, but a gluten-free diet can minimise or even reverse damage to the small intestine. By following a gluten free diet, symptoms can be alleviated and any further damage to your intestines will be prevented. Studies have shown that following a gluten-free diet for five years or more reduces the risk of all cancers associated with coeliac disease to that of the general population. Gluten is not an essential dietary component, so a diet which restricts or totally excludes Gluten will not harm you in any way.

If you are diagnosed with coeliac disease, you will be able to get food staples such as gluten-free flour, breads, biscuits and pasta on prescription from your doctor. Many supermarkets recognise the high proportion of the population who have food intolerances and stock gluten-free alternatives. As coeliac disease can permanently damage the interior walls of the intestines, it is important to remember that you may need to take supplements of vitamins, calcium, minerals, iron tablets and folic acid due to lack of absorption.

What foods should I avoid if I have been diagnosed as gluten intolerant?

This is not a comprehensive list of foods containing gluten. However, the following foods should be avoided:

• Bread, pasta and breakfast cereals.
• Biscuits, cakes and pastries.
• Malt vinegar, soy sauce, mustard and mayonnaise.
• Some tinned soups and sauces.
• Gluten is also hidden in some foods such as crisps and similar snacks, and in chips served in the catering industry.
• Cooking oil (mixed vegetable oil) can contain wheat-germ oil; so use sunflower or olive oil instead.
• Beer and whisky are made from grain containing gluten, but other alcoholic drinks such as wine and cider are gluten-free.

Oats have generally been shown not to upset people with coeliac disease, but are probably best avoided because they are often processed and stored in the same mills as wheat and consequently may be contaminated with gluten.

What foods can I eat if I have been diagnosed as gluten intolerant?

The following foodstuffs are gluten-free:

• All fruit, salads, vegetables
• Potatoes
• Rice and maize
• Nuts
• Red meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy products.

Are there any medicines that can help with wheat intolerance?
A product called Glutenzyme, an enzyme protease produced from natural sources, is able to break down gluten proteins. Glutenzyme can reduce or eliminate the damage gluten causes. Some people who suffer from mild symptoms find that they are able to resume a normal diet if they take Glutenzyme.

In very severe cases of Coeliac disease that do not respond to a gluten-free diet, steroids may  be prescribed to 'damp down' the immune system, although this is rarely needed as a gluten free diet works well for most suffers.

How do I Perform the Test?

As with all SafeScreen’s home test kits, everything you need to carry out and interpret a test is included with your order. The test for Coeliac disease can be performed discretely, in the privacy of your home by following the easy step by step instructions. Results are available in minutes rather than the days or weeks normally required to obtain laboratory results.
A drop of blood from a skin prick will be placed in the test kit cassette and will give you an accurate result in minutes. It is important to note that if you have been completely avoiding all wheat, barley and rye for longer than six weeks, you may be at risk of getting a false negative result. This is because a strict gluten free diet allows the intestine to heal and the antibody levels to return to an undetectable level.

All orders received before 4.15pm are dispatched the same day using Royal Mail 1st Class. Your test kit will be delivered discretely in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents inside the box. Boxes are then posted inside a secure mail bag to ensure your complete privacy.

 Early Pregnancy Testing Kits | Home Cholesterol Test | Home Menopause Test Kits | Drug Testing Kit | Home STD Testing Kits | Home Gonorrhea Testing | Home Chlamydia Test Kit | Home Ovulation Testing Kit | Home HIV Testing Kits | Home Syphilis Test