Many people starts eating a gluten-free diet without screening for celiac disease, making diagnosis complicated later on.
The 2004-2005 Canadian Celiac Health survey reported that it took on average 11.5 years after the onset of symptoms for adults to be diagnosed with celiac disease.
The testing for celiac disease becomes inaccurate when you have already eliminated gluten from your diet.
It is important if you have any signs and symptoms of celiac disease to get the screening test (commonly known as the TTG test – IgA anti-transglutaminase antibody test) done prior to avoiding gluten.
A celiac diagnosis means adopting a gluten-free diet for life, this also means you have to be diligent in avoiding cross contamination at home and eating out, regular medical follow ups to make sure your body is healing, as screening for other conditions and deficiencies.
It is recommended to screen your first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) for celiac since they have a 10% chance of having celiac disease.
This is different than eating a gluten-free diet due to gluten intolerance.