A recent study from Demark identified several biochemical abnormalities associated with testing positive for celiac disease in an antibody test. These biochemical abnormalities could be a predictor of celiac disease and become a tool to reduce delayed celiac disease diagnosis.
Researchers observed a cohort of patients referred for celiac disease antibody blood testing, and compared the characteristics of individuals with a positive celiac antibody test to those with a negative celiac antibody test. The biggest biochemical difference researchers noted was lower levels of ferritin, a blood protein containing iron, among the celiac antibody-positive individuals. They also found that celiac antibody-positive individuals had lower hemoglobin, cobalamin, and folic acid levels, and higher levels of transferrin, ALAT (alanine transaminase), and alkaline phosphate.
Another conclusion the researchers observed in this study based on biomarker levels is that micronutrient deficiencies are common among those with celiac disease, which confirms that malabsorption could be a sign of celiac disease.
The results from this study suggest that developing biochemical algorithms could improve guidelines for celiac disease screening, reduce diagnostic delay, and lead to early treatment and prevention of comorbidities in patients with celiac disease.
Are you interested in participating in celiac disease research? Add your data to our iCureCeliac® patient registry today. iCureCeliac® is a free online platform for patients or their caregivers to provide critical insights into life with celiac disease. Your participation will help create better diagnostic tools and treatments for cross-contact and gluten consumption, governmental policy changes, and access to new and innovative clinical trials nationwide, which may, one day, cure celiac disease.