Curious to see if you have the genes associated with celiac disease? Now you can without ever leaving your home! Prometheus Laboratories, a San Diego-based pharmaceutical company, recently received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for MyCeliacID, the first do-it-yourself, at-home, saliva-based genetic test dedicated to celiac disease.

Approximately 1 in 100 Americans have celiac disease. Some have common symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal distress, while others have symptoms like anemia, infertility, weight loss, or osteoporosis. It is estimated by the celiac community that 60% of children and 41% of adults newly diagnosed with celiac disease had no symptoms at all.

From Tiffany Janes of Atlanta Gluten-Free Food Examiner:

Most people with celiac know that the tests for these conditions are lacking greatly in terms of accuracy. False negatives on the blood panel alone have been quoted in the 20% range. Obviously, if someone tests negatively on the blood test, their doctor isn’t likely to schedule a endoscopy looking for further indications of celiac disease.

Even when people have the endoscopy is performed, many doctors take only one or two biopsy samples. Dr. Cynthia Rudert of Atlanta explains that the proper way to do that test, is to take at least six samples since the small intestine is so ling. Taking only two samples might not catch the damaged villi. This might result in a false negative or inconclusive results.

Many in the medical community who are “in the know” about celiac, prefer to use the California based lab Prometheus Labs for their patients celiac blood tests, among other things. To quote one doctor “generic lab techs don’t know how to read a celiac panel. That is why so many people with celiac are testing negative for it”. If you have a celiac blood panel run and can get your doctor to use Prometheus to interpret it, you should do so.

MyCeliacID uses a recently approved saliva-based version of the blood test used by doctors — it is said to identify distinct genetic sequences associated with celiac disease, and is touted as the only test that provides you with a measurement of risk of developing the disease relative to the general population.

MyCeliacID is available online. According to the company website, a licensed physician will review and place the order in accordance with state and federal law after a test request is made online. Then, after testing is performed, the physician will review and release the result (accessed online via a secure link, usually within 7 days from receipt of the saliva sample).

Learn more at MyCeliacID.com.