Gluten Allergy Diagnosis

Gluten is a protein found in a wide range of grains, including wheat, barley and rye. Many people are sensitive or allergic to gluten, and for them, ingestion can cause health problems. There are four main ways of diagnosing gluten allergy or sensitivity: a blood test, endoscopy, electrodermal testing or an elimination diet.

Allergy or Sensitivity

Though many people use the terms interchangeably, there are important differences between food allergies and food sensitivities. If someone is allergic to a food, the reaction is usually almost immediate. A food sensitivity, on the other hand, takes longer to manifest. There is typically some lag time between ingestion and the appearance of symptoms, and as a result, food sensitivities can be more difficult to diagnose.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gluten allergy include asthma, abdominal symptoms, eczema and headaches. Those with gluten sensitivity typically suffer from problems related to food absorption.

Gluten molecules are quite large, and they can be difficult for the body to break down and digest. As a result, they literally can rip holes in the lining of the small intestine, creating a condition known as Leaky Gut Syndrome. In this condition, food absorption is compromised, and the body can become malnourished even through nutritious foods are being ingested. Additionally, Leaky Gut Syndrome can cause foreign particles and bacteria present in the gut to be released back into the bloodstream, which can burden the body's immune system.

Electrodermal Screening

Electrodermal screening is based on the tenets of ancient Chinese medicine. According to information published by the American Association of Acupuncture and Bio-Energetic Medicine, electrodermal testing is used to measure meridian energy flow (or chi) among various organs, and in so doing, it can be used to identify allergies and sensitivities.

Blood Test

Antibody blood tests may be used to determine if someone has gluten allergies and sensitivities. According to research published by the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, people with an intolerance for gluten tend to have unusually high levels of certain antibodies in their blood after gluten is ingested. Usually, two tests are done---one with the patient on a gluten-free diet and another with the patient on a diet that contains gluten-rich foods.

Endoscopy

Gluten ingestion can cause damage to the small intestine in gluten-intolerant individuals, and an endoscopy may be used to obtain images of the small intestine to determine whether this damage has taken place. In this procedure, a plastic tube containing imaging equipment is inserted into the gastrointestinal tract, and images of the surrounding tissue are gathered.

Elimination Diet

The elimination diet is the most inexpensive way of determining whether you have gluten intolerance, but it's just as effective as other more costly routes of diagnosis. As its name suggests, an elimination diet simply involves eliminating all foods containing gluten from your meal plan. Those who are allergic or sensitive to gluten usually find that their symptoms will dissipate after adhering to this diet for just a few days.