Gluten (Coeliac and NCGS) Gene Test Available in the UK

I was just sharing details of the gluten gene test for someone and I thought it would be good to remind people that I have the Gluten Free Society gluten illness gene test kits here in the UK. I introduced this test to the UK back in 2009 (I is OLD!).

If you are off gluten already or gluten tests or even genetic coeliac tests have come back negative, then do this much more comprehensive one. When I recommend it, I am generally looking for patterns of risk that suggest a person could or has developed non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or gluten illness, NOT just coeliac disease. For example, I was not picked up myself because I don’t have the standard DQ2 coeliac gene BUT I do have a double DQ1 and DQ8, both of which confer risk of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, which can be worse than coeliac disease.

You can read the GFS piece and more info from me about the test below:

Genetic Testing

The Gluten Gene Test is a simple cheek swab and the only test that measures for all known genes linked to gluten sensitivity (HLA-DQ1/HLA-DQ3) and coeliac disease (HLA-DQ2/HLA-DQ8). Other labs only measure for genes linked to coeliac disease, which is why many people are sadly misdiagnosed. Once ordered, I will post the kit out to you (inc in cost). You then pay to return your samples in a standard envelope to the US, containing the cheek swabs and requisition forms. The swabs are viable for a long time so there is no need to send them back with priority mail.

The pattern of the genes found in the results help us work out your risk of coeliac disease or if it is more likely to be NCGS (non coeliac gluten sensitivity). When I did it, for example, I had a double DQ1 and a single DQ8. If these genes are triggered (which mine have been), then you are likely to develop a gluten illness. In my case the DQ1 is more likely to be skin issues (inc leaky gut!!) of NCGS but I have a low risk of coeliac disease. NCGS can be every bit as serious as coeliac disease, by the way, so don’t get lulled into a false sense of security! Check my TrulyGlutenFree section on the website for more on this.

You can see a sample report here. The report gives you some idea of what’s going on, but I can also explain more if you need me (see Support options here). The different DQs relate to different conditions and you can find that and loads more about gluten testing and treatment in the Gluten Plan if yours comes up positive.