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Gluten reactions - do you have to carry the coeliac gene? |
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"Are gluten reactions restricted to people who have the coeliac gene? Or in other words, do you have to carry the coeliac gene to have a gluten-sensitivity?"
No! Gluten-sensitivity is not restricted to people with the coeliac gene (HLA, DQ2 and/or DQ8). So far from my data, I find that about 60% of those who are gluten-sensitive (the gluten syndrome) have the coeliac gene. The coeliac gene is a useful test to decide who should go ahead to have a small bowel biopsy. If you do have the coeliac gene, there is no information at this time to predict who might eventually develop coeliac disease. So it is important to keep your self under surveillance ands repeat the coeliac blood tests every few years. I hope this clarifies the place of this test. Many more details about gluten-sensitivity and coeliac disease are written up my book "Are you gluten sensitive? Your questions answered". |
