Genetic Coeliac Disease Test
£99.00
- Only £99 for results in 4-5 working days
- Accurate and reliable laboratory test for the genes linked to coeliac disease
- Easy-to-use kit
- Secure, password-protected results emailed to you for full confidentiality
- All tests performed at our UK-laboratory – so your samples won’t be sent abroad
- Add a Genetic Lactose Intolerance Test for just £69 (saving £30)
- Only a simple cheek swab required
- Over ONE MILLION genetic tests performed since 2004
Over ONE MILLION genetic tests performed since 2004
Why choose a Genetic Coeliac Disease Test?
Whether you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate coeliac disease, or simply want a test to rule it out, our home Genetic Coeliac Disease Test is a fast, accurate and reliable way to find out whether you carry the genes linked to coeliac disease, with only a cheek swab required.
There are many reasons why you might want a genetic test for the genes associated with coeliac disease (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8), including:
- You are experiencing symptoms including diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, flatulence, indigestion, regular mouth ulcers, nausea, and fatigue
- You have a child who is experiencing symptoms that could indicate coeliac disease
- You have a close family member who has been diagnosed with coeliac disease – research shows that people with coeliac disease have a higher risk of passing the disease down to first-degree relatives (i.e. parents to children)
- You have been following a gluten-free diet, and want to rule out the risk of developing coeliac disease, so that you can seek the correct treatment
Whatever your reasons, a Genetic Coeliac Disease Test can give you peace of mind or enable you to seek the correct diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms.
With only a simple cheek swab required, this simple, pain free test is suitable for children of all ages. However, we strongly advise that you speak to your GP before making any decisions regarding dietary changes after receiving the results.
Order your Genetic Coeliac Disease Test online now or by calling our Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300.
You can also add in a Genetic Lactose Intolerance Test for just £69 (saving £30).
Direct from our accredited UK laboratory
What is coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK.
However, only 30% per cent of these people are diagnosed, and experts believe that there are many more people suffering from coeliac disease, as milder cases can go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The condition develops over time because of a sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in certain cereal grains including wheat, rye, and barley, and commonly used in food products including bread, cereal, and pasta.
When a person with coeliac disease eats gluten, this causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissue, damaging the gut lining and preventing the body from adequately absorbing nutrients from food.
The disease runs in families and can start at any age, with adults aged between 50 and 70 being the most diagnosed. Women are also three times more likely to develop the disease than men.
If left undiagnosed or untreated, coeliac disease can lead to severe complications including osteoporosis, anaemia, certain neurological diseases (affecting the brain and nerves) and, in rare cases, intestinal lymphoma and bowel cancer.
However, with early diagnosis, it can be easily managed with a lifelong gluten-free diet.
How does the Genetic Coeliac Disease Test work?
Order your test kit and register online
Collect your cheek DNA sample
Post your sample back to our UK laboratory
Receive your confidential results by email
What can the results of a Genetic Coeliac Disease Test tell me?
Genetic testing for coeliac disease can help you rule out the possibility of having coeliac disease or tell you if you are carrying the genes linked to the condition.
The test uses Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing to confirm or rule out the potential of developing coeliac disease by evaluating six DNA markers for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes.
If your test results show that you have one or both genes (HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8), this indicates that you could be at risk of developing coeliac disease in the future.
Your test results will show either a negative result or that you are at very low, low, moderate, or high risk of developing coeliac disease, depending on which genes you have.
However, having these genes does not guarantee that you will develop coeliac disease, or indicate that you are currently suffering from it.
If your results show that neither of these genes are present, this means that you are unlikely to develop coeliac disease in the future.
If you have received your test results and continue to experience symptoms that are causing you concern, we strongly recommend that you visit your GP for further support and guidance.
What are the benefits of testing for genetic coeliac disease and primary lactose intolerance at the same time?
Symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and stomach pain can be common indicators of various gastrointestinal illnesses, including both coeliac disease and lactose intolerance. When you’ve got symptoms like these, it can be difficult to work out what’s causing them, as many diseases and conditions can present in similar ways.
We therefore recommend taking a DNA health test for both genetic coeliac disease and genetic primary lactose intolerance at the same time to help you determine the cause of your symptoms faster. This in turn means that you can make changes in your diet or seek treatment to improve pain or discomfort more quickly.
You can show the results of both tests to your doctor, who can then investigate further and help you with a plan to minimise symptoms. Distinguishing between gastrointestinal disorders can be challenging, but by taking both tests together, you can quickly obtain the right diagnosis and medical care.
Plus you’ll save money by buying the two tests together!
Read more about the benefits of taking both tests at the same time >
When will I receive my test results?
Once you have received your test kit, simply follow the instructions to collect your cheek (buccal) samples and post your samples back to us.
As soon as we receive your samples, testing can begin at our award-winning UK laboratory.
Your secure, password-protected results will be emailed to you in 4-5 working days after your samples have been received at our laboratory.
You can order an AlphaBiolabs Genetic Coeliac Disease Test online now for just £99.
Results emailed to you in 4-5 working days
Sample collection
Our Genetic Coeliac Disease Test requires a swab to be rubbed on the inside of the mouth to collect cheek cells.
Please follow the instructions included in your test kit to ensure samples are collected properly, as swabs with insufficient quantities of cheek cells cannot be processed.
Please do not eat, drink or smoke immediately prior to collecting your samples.
What does the test kit include?
The Genetic Coeliac Disease Test kit includes:
- Full instructions for how to collect your samples, and how to return the samples to our laboratory
- One DNA sample collection swab package containing two swabs
- DNA test sample envelope, for securing your samples
- A pre-paid tracked return envelope to send your test samples back to us
Read reviews from real customers
I did some research online and this, as well as comments from family, friends and colleagues, led me to believe I could have coeliac disease. I ordered the test, which was amazingly easy to do – just a simple and painless cheek swab.
My results came back showing that I had a high risk of coeliac disease. I took the results to my GP the next day and was sent for further testing, which confirmed that I do indeed have coeliac disease. I cannot recommend this test highly enough for anyone suffering with symptoms and feeling they are getting nowhere with a diagnosis. Take the test – less than a minute could change your life. It did for me. Maxine
NHS-standard laboratory test
Frequently Asked Questions
What is coeliac disease?
However, only 30% per cent of these people are diagnosed, and experts believe that there are many more people suffering from coeliac disease, as milder cases can go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The condition develops over time because of a sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in certain cereal grains including wheat, rye, and barley, and commonly used in food products including bread, cereal, and pasta.
When a person with coeliac disease eats gluten, this causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissue, damaging the gut lining and preventing the body from adequately absorbing nutrients from food.
If left undiagnosed or untreated, coeliac disease can lead to severe complications including osteoporosis, anaemia, certain neurological diseases (affecting the brain and nerves) and, in rare cases, intestinal lymphoma and bowel cancer.
However, with early diagnosis, it can be easily managed with a lifelong gluten-free diet.
The disease runs in families and can start at any age, making genetic testing an extremely useful tool for determining whether you are at risk of developing the condition.
Research has shown that people with coeliac disease have a higher risk of passing the disease down to first-degree relatives (i.e. parents to children), and around 1 in 10 people diagnosed with coeliac disease have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling) with the condition.
How does a genetic test for coeliac disease work?
The test uses Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing to confirm or rule out the potential of developing coeliac disease by evaluating six DNA markers for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes.
How much does the test cost?
Shipping options for your kit include Royal Mail First Class delivery (included in the cost of your test) or Next Working Day Courier* (+£9.95).
Simply choose your preferred shipping option when placing your order.
*Orders must be received by 2pm to guarantee delivery the next working day.
How do I register my test?
Please follow this link to complete your registration form online, ensuring that all your personal details are correct before collecting your samples.
If you have not received the email by the time you receive your test kit, please contact us on 0333 600 1300 or email health@alphabiolabs.com for assistance.
IMPORTANT: You MUST register your test online before returning your samples to our laboratory. Failure to register your test will delay the testing process and receipt of your test results.
What are the symptoms of coeliac disease?
Symptoms can be mild initially, and become worse over time if the condition is left undiagnosed/untreated i.e. the person continues to consume foods containing gluten.
Below are some of the most common symptoms of coeliac disease:
- An itchy rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Anaemia
- Bloating and flatulence
- Constipation or hard stools
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Disorders that affect co-ordination, balance and speech (ataxia)
- Indigestion
- Nausea, feeling sick and vomiting
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
- Stomach aches and cramping
- Tiredness (fatigue) due to not getting enough nutrients from food (malnutrition)
- Unintentional weight loss
What is the test for and why should I get tested?
If you are experiencing symptoms that you think could indicate coeliac disease, you should consider a Genetic Coeliac Disease Test to either confirm or rule out the possibility of coeliac disease, so that you can seek the correct treatment.
Additionally, if you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with coeliac disease, you may want a Genetic Coeliac Disease Test to find out whether you are more at risk of developing coeliac disease in the future.
The condition can be inherited, meaning that you are at higher risk of developing coeliac disease if you have a first-degree relative with the condition (children, parents, siblings), and 1 in 10 people diagnosed with coeliac disease have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling) with the condition.
People with the disease typically have the HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 genes. However, these genes can also be found in around 25-30% of the UK population.
Carrying these genes does not mean that you have coeliac disease or that you are guaranteed to develop it. However, it does mean that you are more at risk of developing coeliac disease than people who do not carry these genes.
Another reason to consider a genetic test for coeliac disease is if you have been following a gluten-free diet to help manage your symptoms.
If genetic testing shows that you do not carry either of the genes associated with coeliac disease (HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8), this will enable you to seek the correct treatment/diagnosis for your symptoms and/or reinstate gluten into your diet.
What samples are required?
Full instructions on how to collect your samples are included in your test kit.
Please follow the instructions to ensure samples are collected properly, as swabs with insufficient quantities of cheek cells cannot be processed.
You must not eat, drink or smoke immediately prior to collecting your samples.
Are blood samples required?
What can the results of the test tell me?
The test uses Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing to confirm or rule out the potential of developing coeliac disease by analysing six DNA markers for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes.
If your test results show that you have one or both genes (HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8), this indicates that you could be at risk of developing coeliac disease in the future.
Your test results will show either a negative result or that you are at very low, low, moderate, or high risk of developing coeliac disease, depending on which genes you have.
However, having these genes does not guarantee that you will develop coeliac disease, or indicate that you are currently suffering from it.
If your results show that neither of these genes are present, this means that you are unlikely to develop coeliac disease in the future.
If you have received your test results and continue to experience symptoms that are causing you concern, we strongly recommend that you consult your GP for further support and guidance.
What does HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 mean?
People with HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 markers are at risk of developing coeliac disease, and the presence or absence of these genetic markers can aid in the diagnosis of the condition.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) generates a protein in the body that binds to any foreign material on the surface of a cell. When people have defective HLA genes, their bodies see gluten peptides as foreign, resulting in an auto-immune reaction.
HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 genes are always found in people who have been diagnosed with coeliac disease.
However, these genes are also found in 25-30% of the general population, so simply having one or both genes does not mean that you will develop coeliac disease or that you currently have it, but rather that you are at higher risk of developing the condition at some point in the future.
If you do not have the HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 genes, you can rule out the possibility of coeliac disease as the cause of your symptoms.
When will I receive my test kit?
You can choose to receive your kit by Royal Mail First Class delivery (included in the cost of your test), or upgrade to Next Working Day Courier* for £9.95.
Simply choose your preferred shipping option when placing your order.
*Orders must be received by 2pm to guarantee delivery the next working day.
When will I receive my test results?
As soon as we receive your samples, testing can begin at our award-winning, UKAS-accredited laboratory.
Your secure, password-protected results will be emailed to you in 4-5 working days after your samples have been received at our laboratory.
You can order an AlphaBiolabs Genetic Coeliac Disease Test online now for just £99.
How accurate are the test results?
We are also accredited to the international quality standard ISO 17025 for laboratory testing, using the very latest scientific methods for genetic/DNA testing, analysis, and reporting.
Are my test results private and confidential?
Our laboratory testing is 100% private and confidential.
As an award-winning, UKAS ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, we take our customers’ privacy very seriously, which is why we take steps to ensure complete confidentiality throughout the testing process, including:
- Sending all our peace of mind DNA/genetic test kits out in discreet, plain packaging
- Password-protected results. You will be asked to choose your own password and provide your preferred email address when placing your order. This is the email address that your results will be sent to, in a password-protected PDF format
- Only discussing your test with those who are entitled to know i.e. on receipt of the correct passwords or answers to unique security questions
- Ensuring online payment transactions do NOT name AlphaBiolabs as the recipient on bank statements
- Protecting your data from being accessed in an unauthorised way by using a secure server that protects any financial transactions on our website
- Adhering to the General Data Protection Regulation. This means that DNA samples are destroyed after three months and all identification documents – hard copy and electronic files – are destroyed after 4 years
My test results show that I have the HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 gene. What should I do?
If your test results show that you have these genes, and you have symptoms that are causing you concern, or simply want further testing for your own peace of mind, we strongly recommend that you consult your GP for further advice, testing and diagnosis.
My test results show that I do not have the HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 genes, but I still have symptoms. What should I do?
This is because people who are diagnosed with coeliac disease typically have one or both genes.
However, if you are still experiencing symptoms that are causing you concern, we strongly recommend that you consult your GP for further advice and guidance on next steps (treatment/diagnosis).
What is the treatment for coeliac disease?
This means that any foods containing gluten should be avoided including (but not limited to) bread, pasta, cereals, biscuits, and cakes. If you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease, it is especially important to check the labels on any food you buy, as many foods (particularly processed foods) include additives and flavourings that contain gluten.
Once a person with coeliac disease removes gluten from their diet, they will typically start to see a significant improvement in their health.
Gluten can also be found in some non-food products including cosmetics and certain medications.
Is coeliac disease the same as a wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity/intolerance?
Coeliac disease is a severe autoimmune condition that typically runs in families and can only be treated by adhering to a strict gluten-free diet.
What is included in the test kit?
- Full instructions for how to collect your samples, and how to return the samples to our laboratory
- One DNA sample collection swab package containing two swabs
- DNA test sample envelope, for securing your samples
- A pre-paid tracked return envelope to send your test samples back to us
