Genetic testing for risk of celiac disease may be done once in a persons lifetime using blood or a swab from the inside of the cheek. About 95% of individuals with celiac disease have the HLA DQ2 gene and about 5% of individuals with celiac disease have the HLA DQ8 gene. These 2 genes are present in up to 40% of the population. However, only 3% of these individuals with the genes will develop celiac disease. If the individual does not have these genes, celiac disease is extremely unlikely.
Disorders affected by gluten:
Autism and gluten:
Diets free of gluten and casein have some evidence of benefit in autism. Gluten is found in many common foods made from wheat, barley, rye grains or flour from these grains. Casein is a protein found in dairy products. It has been suggested that abnormal levels of peptides by excessive opioid activity caused by the ingestion of gluten and casein may play a role in autism.
