As the certified High Complexity Lab Director of DNA ConneXions, one of the most common questions I hear is: “Where can I get a gluten sensitivity test?”
It’s a smart question and an important one. According to BeyondCeliac.org, as many as 18 million Americans may suffer from non-celiac gluten sensitivity. That’s roughly 6% of the population. Many people live with bloating, brain fog, joint pain, or fatigue without realizing gluten might be to blame. Getting tested is the first step toward clarity and better health.
What Is Gluten Sensitivity?
Gluten sensitivity is a physical response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It’s different from Celiac Disease, which is an autoimmune condition that damages the small intestine. Gluten sensitivity does not cause intestinal injury but can produce symptoms that interfere with daily life.
Common symptoms include:
- Digestive problems like bloating or gas
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Brain fog or mental fatigue
- Headaches or joint pain
- Skin issues or mood disturbances
Because gluten sensitivity shares symptoms with other conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other food intolerances, it’s often misdiagnosed. Testing can provide clarity and guide better choices.
How Gluten Sensitivity Is Tested
There is no single diagnostic test for gluten sensitivity, but several testing options can help identify whether gluten is a problem for you.
1. Blood Tests for Celiac Disease
Most doctors begin by checking for celiac disease. This is done through blood tests that detect specific immune responses:
- tTG-IgA (Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies)
- DGP (Deamidated Gliadin Peptide Antibodies)
- EMA (Endomysial Antibodies)
- Total Serum IgA
While these tests help confirm an autoimmune reaction to gluten, they cannot detect gluten sensitivity in people who do not have Celiac Disease. If your symptoms are gluten-related but you don’t have Celiac Disease, these tests will likely come back normal.
2. Genetic Testing (HLA Markers)
Genetic testing checks for HLA markers that are associated with gluten-related conditions. Most people with celiac disease carry HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8. If you lack both of these genes, Celiac Disease is very unlikely.
However, having one or both of these genes does not mean you have Celiac Disease. It just means that you may be genetically susceptible. On their own, these tests cannot confirm or rule out gluten sensitivity.
3. At-Home Gluten Sensitivity DNA Tests
Some at-home tests take genetic analysis a step further. For example, the DNA ConneXions Gluten Sensitivity Test screens for four HLA markers: HLA-DQ1, DQ2, DQ3, and DQ8.
Here’s how it works:
- If one or more markers are present, it suggests a marked sensitivity to gluten
- If all four markers are present, it is indicative of gluten intolerance and highly suggestive of Celiac Disease
- If none of the markers are detected, it’s unlikely that gluten reactivity is a concern
This test does not diagnose Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance, but it does reveal your genetic predisposition to these conditions. It’s especially useful if you’ve already started avoiding gluten and want answers without reintroducing it into your diet.
At DNA ConneXions, our test uses a non-invasive oral sample collected with dental Super Floss. It’s quick, painless, and can be done entirely from home. Results are processed in our CLIA-certified lab and reviewed by professionals.
4. Elimination Diet
Many people remove gluten from their diet and then reintroduce it to see if symptoms return. While this method may offer insight, it lacks scientific precision. Symptoms can vary depending on stress, sleep, and other foods consumed. This approach also requires long-term commitment and careful tracking.
Elimination diets work best when guided by a healthcare provider or registered dietitian.
5. Intestinal Biopsy
If your celiac blood tests are positive, a gastroenterologist may order a biopsy of the small intestine. This confirms the tissue damage that defines celiac disease. It is not used for detecting gluten sensitivity.
Where Can You Get a Gluten Sensitivity Test?
Depending on your preferences and symptoms, there are several ways to get tested.
1. Through Your Doctor
Your primary care doctor or gastroenterologist can order celiac blood tests and/or refer you for additional procedures like a biopsy. If you’re showing strong symptoms of celiac disease, this is often the first step.
2. Functional or Integrative Medicine Clinics
These providers may order broader food sensitivity panels or recommend DNA testing. While often more comprehensive, these services are not always covered by insurance.
3. At-Home Testing
At-home testing is convenient, private, and easy to access. Many options are now available, but not all are equally reliable. When choosing an at-home test, look for one that is CLIA-certified and processed in a clinical laboratory setting.
Our DNA ConneXions Gluten Sensitivity Test meets these standards and delivers high-confidence results without requiring blood or clinic visits.
Pros and Cons: Clinic vs. At-Home Testing
Feature | In-Clinic Testing | At-Home DNA Testing |
Accuracy | High for celiac diagnosis | High for genetic gluten markers |
Convenience | Requires doctor visits | Sample collected from home |
Invasiveness | May involve blood draws | Non-invasive, saliva-based |
Diagnostic use | Celiac-focused | Sensitivity-focused |
Cost | May be covered by insurance | An out-of-pocket expense that may be reimbursed by insurance |
If your goal is to uncover gluten sensitivity or predisposition, at-home DNA testing offers a valuable and practical alternative.
What Happens After Testing?
Once you receive your test results:
- If you’re positive for sensitivity markers, consider reducing or eliminating gluten and tracking symptom improvement
- If you’re positive for all four HLA markers, consult a healthcare provider about further testing for celiac disease
- If you’re negative, explore other possible causes of your symptoms like FODMAPs, dairy, or gut health issues
Testing gives you data, but real improvement comes from how you act on it.
If you’ve been wondering, “Where can I get a gluten sensitivity test?”, now you have answers. Whether you choose to work with a doctor or prefer the privacy and convenience of at-home testing, you don’t have to live with uncertainty. Gluten sensitivity can affect energy, digestion, mental clarity, and overall wellness. The right test can help you take control of your health.
Why Choose the DNA ConneXions Gluten Sensitivity Test?
At DNA ConneXions, we offer a high-quality, science-backed, at-home gluten sensitivity test that screens for four key HLA markers. This includes HLA-DQ1, DQ2, DQ3, and DQ8—providing a deeper view of your genetic relationship with gluten than conventional testing.
Our test identifies whether you have:
- Marked sensitivity to gluten (any marker present)
- Likely gluten intolerance and celiac risk (all four markers present)
You collect your sample at home with dental Super Floss and send it back to our CLIA-certified lab. No gluten challenge. No blood draw. Just clear, accurate insights.
So, if you’re asking, “Where can I get a gluten sensitivity test?”, we’re here to help. You deserve answers you can trust “Because Healing Starts with Knowing.”