Who should undergo antibody blood tests for celiac disease?
Some experts recommend that antibody blood tests should be used to screen healthy persons with no signs or symptoms for celiac disease. In Italy, where celiac disease is common, all children are screened for celiac disease. Experts in the United States do not recommend screening healthy persons for celiac disease. Antibody blood tests are only recommended for individuals with a higher likelihood than normal of having celiac disease. These individuals are: • Individuals with chronic diarrhea (diarrhea that does not resolve in three weeks), increased amount of fat in the stool (steatorrhea), and weight loss • Individuals with excess gas, bloating, and abdominal distension • First and second degree relatives of individuals who have celiac disease • Children with growth retardation • Individuals with unexplained iron deficiency anemia • Individuals with skin rashes suggestive of dermatitis herpetiformis • Individuals with recurrent painful mouth sores (aphthous stomatitis) • Individuals wi
