Going gluten-free may be trendy and unnecessary for many trying the diet, but this dietary fad has also brought more attention to celiac disease.
Here are eight things to know about celiac disease, according to an article published in the American Gastroenterological Association's journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
1. Immunoglobin A-based tissue transglutaminase (IgA TTG) is considered the best serological test to detect celiac disease.
2. The study authors suggest taking biopsies, regardless of whether or not endoscopic markers are present.
3. First-degree relatives should generally be tested for celiac disease.
4. If a patient has already adopted a gluten-free diet, the authors suggest testing for HLA DQ2 or DQ8.
5. If a patient is diagnosed with celiac disease, he or she should adopt a life-long gluten free diet and seek support from a dietician for meal planning and a pharmacist for medication management.
6. After diagnosis, physicians should monitor patients for various vitamin levels, serological improvement and bone density in adult patients.
7. Nonresponsive celiac patients should have the original diagnosis verified and then have their diet assessed for potential gluten ingestion.
8. In the case of refractory celiac disease, the study authors suggest checking for malignant transformation.