Genetic Testing For Celiac

People with Celiac disease carry one or both of the
HLA DQ2 and DQ8 genes, but so does up to 25%
of the general population.  Carrying the gene is not
a diagnosis of the disease nor does it mean you will
ever develop Celiac disease.  It does mean your
risk of developing the disease is 3% instead of 1%.

Since Celiac disease is genetic, this means it runs in
families.  First degree relatives, have up to a 40% risk
of developing the disease if they carry the gene.

A negative gene test excludes the possibility of later
developing Celiac disease.  This could be helpful in
children, to avoid unnecessary testing.