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Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that triggers a serious allergic reaction to gluten. It’s not common, affecting around
If you’re experiencing ongoing digestive issues or diarrhea and suspect gluten is the culprit, it may be worth getting tested.
When not properly managed, celiac disease can lead to serious health issues, including permanent damage to the intestines.
At-home celiac test kits can offer preliminary information by monitoring how you react to gluten. We did the research to help you get started.
A celiac test kit comes with all the supplies and directions you need to take a sample at home that you can mail to a lab for analysis.
Don’t consider the results a diagnosis. Rather, this is a starting point of insights and information you can use for next steps.
Keep in mind that you must be eating gluten for a blood test to accurately screen for celiac.
It depends on the type of test. Some at-home tests check your blood for specific antibodies that are created in response to eating gluten. Others analyze DNA for mutations that are often found in people who have celiac disease.
We kept a few considerations in mind as we put together our recommendations.
We prioritized easy-to-use tests that used specific markers for celiac, not just gluten sensitivity, as well as companies that offer follow-up support.
We considered customer reviews and price point, too. We also looked for companies that use
Finally, our content integrity team vetted company practices and medical claims. Learn more about our vetting policy here.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $125
- $$ = $125–$200
- $$$ = over $200
Best for the price
imaware Celiac Disease Screening Test
- Price: $
- Pro: low price tag
- Con: mixed reviews
- Collection method: finger prick
The celiac disease screening test from imaware is an at-home kit that measures your response to gluten and indicates your likelihood of having the disease. The test measures four biomarkers associated with celiac through a fingerpick sample. The kit comes with everything you need to collect and mail your sample. Plus, it’s really well priced.
Results are available online in 7 business days, and imaware says its lab results are designed to be easy to understand. Results also contain specific information that your healthcare professional can use to interpret your test results more clearly.
There are more than 80 reviews for the celiac screening test, and most are positive. However, some customers found the results a little too vague to be helpful or noted lengthy delays for results.
Best noninvasive option
Targeted Genomics Gluten ID Test
- Price: $$
- Pro: noninvasive sample collecting
- Con: not available in all U.S. states
- Collection method: cheek swab
This noninvasive test is designed to screen at-risk family members or people with autoimmune disorders for celiac disease. It uses a cheek swab sample that’s analyzed for variants associated with two genes that are on the spectrum of risk.
Test results indicate whether you have these genetic variants, which means a greater risk. However, having the genes doesn’t mean you have celiac disease.
Results take 2 to 3 weeks and are emailed. The lab report is simple but detailed. It’s designed to be shared with your doctor.
Reviews aren’t featured on the Targeted Genomics site, but feedback from one GlutenID customer describes the test as easy to do from home and painless. Plus, Targeted Genomics doesn’t keep your information or results in a database.
Best follow-up care
LetsGetChecked Celiac Test
- Price: $
- Pro: online results available in 2 to 5 days
- Con: very specific collection criteria
- Collection method: finger prick
This celiac test is designed to identify two kinds of antibodies with a simple finger prick sample. Samples must be collected on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays before 10 a.m. They also need to be returned the same day.
Once the sample arrives to the lab, your results will be available in a secure online account within 2 to 5 days. You can also expect a follow-up call from a nurse at LetsGetChecked to discuss the test’s results.
Best for people eating a gluten-free diet
empowerDX Celiac Risk Gene Test
- Price: $$
- Pro: accurate even on a gluten-free diet
- Con: results may take up to 10 business days
- Collection method: cheek swab
This test kit measures three gene markers with two mouth swabs to determine your risk of celiac. And bonus — eating gluten isn’t required for accuracy in this test. However, you will have to avoid eating, smoking, and drinking caffeinated beverages for 30 minutes before collecting your sample.
The company says the test can be used for ages 2 and up.
The price point is a little higher for this test, and results can take up to 10 business days after the lab receives your sample. You’ll be notified with an email to view, download, and print your results.
Fastest turnaround time
Genovate DNA Celiac Disease Test
- Price: $$$
- Pro: accurate even on a gluten-free diet
- Con: high price point
- Collection method: cheek swab
The celiac disease test from Genovate is another noninvasive, cheek swab option. It’s the most expensive on our list, but the company says it’s accurate even on a gluten-free diet. Plus, there’s no age limit on who can take this test.
The test checks for three biomarkers associated with celiac. Results are available online quickly, within 1 to 3 days.
| Test | Price | Type of test | Result time frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| imaware Celiac Disease Screening Test | $ | finger prick | up to 7 business days |
| Targeted Genomics Gluten ID Test | $$ | cheek swab | 2 to 3 weeks |
| LetsGetChecked Celiac Test | $ | finger prick | 2 to 5 days |
| empowerDX Celiac Risk Gene Test | $$ | cheek swab | up to 10 business days |
| Genovate DNA Celiac Disease Test | $$$ | cheek swab | 1 to 3 days |
Having a gluten sensitivity isn’t the same as having celiac disease. You may experience unpleasant symptoms after eating foods with gluten, but you’re not experiencing the autoimmune damage inherent to celiac.
Here’s what to understand about gluten sensitivity.
Symptoms
If you have a gluten sensitivity, you may have digestive and nondigestive symptoms. Some reported symptoms of people who seem to have adverse reactions to gluten include:
- bloating
- gas
- diarrhea
- pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- nausea
- fatigue
- migraine
- brain fog
- irritability
- certain skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis
There’s some debate about whether non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a true medical condition.
Treatments
There’s no definitive test for gluten sensitivity. If you suspect your symptoms are related to gluten in the foods you eat, the best treatment is to change your diet.
Just like food allergies, the idea is to avoid the foods that are causing your symptoms. Since gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, these are foods you’d need to eliminate.
Foods that use these ingredients, such as pasta, bread, and baked goods like cookies and cakes, should also be avoided.
Then, you can evaluate whether these dietary modifications have improved your symptoms.
If you have diarrhea or digestive issues that aren’t getting better, don’t wait too long to get checked. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms to see whether celiac disease screening is a reasonable option.
Some symptoms of celiac disease can be similar to gluten intolerance and diseases like irritable bowel syndrome or lactose tolerance, so it’s important to be clear about what’s affecting you.
Are at-home celiac tests accurate?
While reputable companies use proven methodologies to analyze your sample, results should still be considered preliminary.
It’s a good idea to follow up with a healthcare professional for a complete diagnosis. This will involve a more thorough medical background, such as symptoms and family medical history.
If tests continue to show positive, an endoscopy and biopsy will likely be the next steps to confirm a diagnosis.
What makes someone susceptible to celiac disease?
Celiac disease can affect anyone. It’s a genetic disorder, so your risk increases if you have a family member with celiac disease.
If you already have an autoimmune disease, like type 1 diabetes, your susceptibility for developing celiac disease also increases.
How do you know if you’re sensitive to gluten without a test?
If you’re eating gluten regularly and experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, you may be exhibiting signs of a gluten sensitivity. Symptoms can include:
- bloating
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea and constipation
There are non-gastrointestinal symptoms associated with gluten intolerance as well, such as:
- fatigue
- headaches
- feeling foggy
- joint and muscle pain
- skin issues, like eczema and psoriasis
Celiac disease is a medical condition triggered by eating foods with gluten. It can cause long-term digestive issues if it’s not properly managed.
An at-home celiac testing kit can be a helpful first step in determining whether you might be at risk of having or developing the condition. However, these tests shouldn’t be considered an actual diagnosis.
If you have questions about your likelihood of having celiac disease, talk with a healthcare professional.
Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.
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