Coeliac Gene Test DQ2/DQ8
Gene (HLA) testing is a useful blood test to assess coeliac disease. Over 99% of people affected by coeliac disease have the HLA DQ2, HLA DQ8, or parts of these genes. Therefore, a negative test for these genes effectively rules out coeliac disease. The gene test on its own cannot diagnose coeliac disease – only 1 in 30 people who have HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8 will develop coeliac disease.
This gene test is more specific than the coeliac antibodies test which often has a lot of false negatives and require patients to have a high gluten containing diet before testing.
As the gene test is not dependent on gluten intake, it can be used when people have already commenced a gluten free diet.
Meet the team of practitioners with a special interest in this testing
- Dr Hazel Batten
- Zhenzhen Ming
- Dr Ruth Cullity
- Jan Purser
- Jo Coates
- Lauren Reid