Diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, anemia, and exhaustion are just a few symptoms of celiac disease, a condition that affects the small intestine. It results from an immunological response to the protein gluten, which is present in rye, wheat, and barley. People living with Celiac disease need to avoid eating gluten to protect their intestines from damage and problems like osteoporosis, infertility, and cancer.
You should get tested for celiac disease if you think you have it. What you need to know about the celiac disease test in Pakistan, including how it's carried out, how much it costs, and where to obtain it, will be covered in this blog.
How Is Celiac Disease Test Done?
There are also two main types of celiac disease tests: blood and biopsy.
Blood Tests
The amount of antibodies your body creates against gluten is measured through blood tests. Anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and anti-endomysial (EMA) are the names of these antibodies. If you have celiac disease, your blood will include significant amounts of these antibodies.
Blood tests, however, are not always reliable. Blood tests
for people with certain celiac diseases may come back negative, particularly if
they have been following a gluten-free diet for a long time. Additionally, some
patients who may not have celiac disease may test positive for conditions such as
diabetes, thyroid illness, or liver disease.
Therefore, you might need a biopsy if your blood test is positive or uncertain. In a biopsy, a small sample of tissue from your small intestine is removed and examined under a microscope. The biopsy can reveal whether gluten exposure has damaged or inflamed your intestine.
Biopsy
Endoscopy is typically used to perform a biopsy. During an
endoscopic operation, a thin tube with a camera and light is put through your
mouth, throat, stomach, and small intestine. The tube can photograph your
intestine and gather tissue samples from there.
You must consume gluten regularly for at least six weeks before undergoing a blood test or biopsy to rule out celiac disease. This is due to the also possibility of false negative findings if you avoid gluten before the test.
What Does Celiac Disease Test Cost?
The cost of celiac disease tests in Pakistan may vary depending on where you get it done and what type of test you need. According to some online sources, the average cost of a blood test for celiac disease in Pakistan is around Rs. 3000-4000. The cost of an endoscopy with biopsy may range from Rs. 15000-25000.
However, these costs are estimates and cannot match what various labs or hospitals charge. Before getting tested for celiac disease, you should always consult your doctor or the testing center.
Where Can You Get Celiac Disease Test In Pakistan?
Many labs and hospitals offer celiac disease tests in Pakistan. Some of the well-known ones are:
- Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi
- Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital also and Research
Centre (SKMCH&RC) in Lahore
- Shifa International Hospital (SIH) in Islamabad
- Chughtai Lab in various cities
- Excel Lab in multiple cities
You can also search online for other labs or hospitals that provide celiac disease tests in Pakistan. However, you should always consult your doctor before you choose a testing facility. Your doctor can advise you on which test you need and how to prepare for it.
Conclusion
Celiac disease must be appropriately diagnosed and treated because it is dangerous. In Pakistan, celiac disease is uncommon, but it can affect children and adults alike. The TTG test is a reliable and practical method of diagnosing celiac disease. People living with Celiac disease should speak with their medical professionals and nutritionists for advice on maintaining a gluten-free diet and properly managing their condition.
