Celiac disease is a serious, lifelong, gastrointestinal disorder that can cause a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms such us diarrhea, abdominal distension, weight loss, malnutrition and skin disorders due to permanent intolerance to gluten, a complex mixture of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye.
No two people with Celiac disease experience the disease the same way, making it extremely difficult to diagnose. Celiac symptoms are numerous and varied and do not occur at any specific time in the life of a Celiac patient. Patients often feel “lousy” for as long as 10 years while continuing to eat gluten, since they don’t know what is wrong.
Did you know that the following groups of individuals have an increased incidence of Celiac disease?
- Approximately 1 in 10 relatives of Celiac patients will also have Celiac disease
- Approximately 1 in 20 individuals with Type I diabetes will also have Celiac disease
- Approximately 5-10% of individuals suffering from anemia will also have Celiac disease
- Approximately 10% of European Irish will test positive for Celiac disease
The Good News: There is a great deal of promising research in the area of Celiac disease management. The Biocard™ Celiac Test can provide you with an immediate, at home diagnosis.
Did you know that the average timeframe for diagnosis of Celiac disease in Canada is 10 years? Because the symptoms can range from mild to severe and there is no definitive symptom (other than Dermatitis Hepitaformis), Celiac disease can often be overlooked. Generally, Celiac testing in Canada requires a physician to first consider Celiac disease as a potential cause of the symptoms. Once considered, Celiac blood tests are taken which can take up to 3 weeks for results and may provide a reasonable diagnosis. Depending on the province and the patients’ medical plan, a fee may be required for these tests. However, a confirmed diagnosis is best obtained with a biopsy of the small intestine.
The Good News: To avoid this long wait, the Biocard™ Celiac Test can provide immediate results in the convenience of your own home.
