At the moment, there is no reliable gluten sensitivity test or Gluten intolerance tests. In some instances, gluten sensitivity is mistaken for celiac disease, a gluten-related autoimmune condition. You can be tested for celiac disease, but these tests won’t determine if you’re sensitive to gluten.
Both gluten intolerance and celiac disease are caused by a reaction to gluten, a protein present in cereal grains like wheat, rye, and barley. They differ in the sense that celiac is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten makes the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the intestines.
Things tend to be different with gluten intolerance since it doesn’t involve any of the autoimmune proteins that are associated with celiac disease. Understanding the difference between these two will certainly go a long way in making sure you understand what you’re dealing with in the first place.
If you continuously show symptoms of gluten intolerance, your healthcare provider will test you for celiac disease. If celiac disease is not the reason behind your symptoms, your provider will need to rule out all the other possible causes before diagnosing you with gluten sensitivity.
While the real reasons behind gluten intolerance are unknown, there are some theories behind it. For instance, some research suggests that gluten sensitivity is related to other components present in gluten-containing cereal grains.
Other research suggest that proteins called amylase/trypsin inhibitors are found in all-gluten containing grains and could cause an allergic reaction and trigger symptoms of gluten intolerance in some individuals.
Either way, it is essential that you understand the common symptoms of non-celiac gluten intolerance. It is worth mentioning that the symptoms of gluten intolerance tend to vary from one person to the other, both in type and severity. Some individuals find that the symptoms of gluten flare show up within an hour of being exposed to gluten, while others may not show any symptoms for a day or two after being ‘glutened.’
Other symptoms to watch out for include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, headache, depression, fatigue, joint pain, and skin rash.
