Yesterday I posted about the Total IGA and TTG IGA test. I talked about the differences between the two. But what I failed to mention is the race disparity in celiac disease testing.  Celiac disease may be under diagnosed in minority populations.

The TTG IGA test is not as accurate in black and brown people as it is in white people. Over 80% of biopsy confirmed celiac disease black patients had a normal TTG IGA test. Fewer than 9% of non-Hispanic white people with biopsy confirmed celiac disease had a normal TTG IGA test.

Two studies, one from the University of Alabama (https://loom.ly/DXcONsg) and Columbia University (https://loom.ly/Ydc5zI8) both indicate that racial disparities exist in celiac diagnosis.

Because the TTG IGA test is the primary screening tool for celiac a disparity accuracy across race could cause an under diagnosis in particular races. Not being diagnosed properly can cause other health issues down the road that may be treated differently because the root cause, celiac disease, is not discovered.

Friends and family members with tell tale symptoms of celiac should be tested.  Patients with common symptoms like unexplained weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and iron deficiency anemia should all be checked.  Potential celiac patients of color require additional testing.  Screening blood tests for celiac disease are insufficient.  These patients must continue to push for more testing. 

#celiac #glutenfree #celiacdisease #coeliac #celiacawareness #gluten #allergy #glutensensitive