Coeliac Screen Blood Test
A private coeliac screen blood test that checks the two antibodies the NHS uses to test for coeliac disease: tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) and total IgA. From £179 at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics or £199 with a nurse home visit, no GP referral needed. Keep eating gluten before the test. Results are emailed in 3 to 5 working days with a GP report explaining what they mean for you.... Read more
A private coeliac screen blood test that checks the two antibodies the NHS uses to test for coeliac disease: tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) and total IgA. From £179 at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics or £199 with a nurse home visit, no GP referral needed. Keep eating gluten before the test. Results are emailed in 3 to 5 working days with a GP report explaining what they mean for you.
Key facts
- Price: £179 in clinic, £199 nurse home visit
- Measures: tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) and total immunoglobulin A (IgA)
- Two ways to take it: a venous blood draw at one of 250+ UK clinics, or a nurse who visits your home
- Results: 3 to 5 working days from your sample reaching the laboratory
- Preparation: no fasting; keep eating gluten in more than one meal a day for at least six weeks before the test
- You receive: your results with reference ranges and a GP report explaining what they mean
Your questions answered
What is the coeliac blood test called?
It is called a coeliac screen, or tTG-IgA test. It measures tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies, which the immune system makes in coeliac disease when gluten damages the lining of the small intestine. The screen also measures total IgA, because around 1 in 40 people with coeliac disease make too little IgA, which would make the tTG result falsely normal. Checking both is the approach NICE recommends for first-line testing.
How do you test for coeliac disease?
Testing starts with this blood test. A positive tTG-IgA result means coeliac disease is likely, and the NHS then confirms it with a referral to a gastroenterologist, usually for a biopsy of the small intestine taken during an endoscopy. A negative result while you are eating gluten makes coeliac disease unlikely. The blood test cannot confirm the diagnosis on its own, but it is the step that decides whether referral is needed.
Can a blood test detect coeliac disease?
Yes, as long as you are still eating gluten when the sample is taken. The tTG-IgA test picks up the great majority of cases. It can miss coeliac disease if you have already cut gluten out, because antibody levels fall once gluten is removed, or if you have IgA deficiency, which is why total IgA is measured alongside it.
How much gluten should I eat before a coeliac test?
Eat gluten in more than one meal every day for at least six weeks before the test. That is the NICE guidance, and it matters: if you have reduced or stopped gluten, the antibodies the test looks for fall and the result can come back normal even if you have coeliac disease. A slice of wheat bread or a portion of pasta at two meals a day is enough. Do not start a gluten-free diet until you have your result.
Do I need to fast before a coeliac blood test?
No. The coeliac screen is not affected by food or drink on the day, so eat and drink normally and take your usual medication. The only preparation that matters is having gluten in your diet in the weeks before the test.
How long does a coeliac blood test take?
The blood draw takes about five minutes. Results are emailed within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory, with a GP report that explains them. Where an NHS route can take weeks from GP appointment to result, most people have their Goodbody result within a week of booking.
How much does a coeliac blood test cost?
A private coeliac screen blood test costs £179 at a Goodbody clinic or £199 with a nurse home visit. Both prices include the laboratory analysis of tTG-IgA and total IgA and a GP report. There is no finger-prick home kit for this test because the antibodies need a venous sample.
Can I ask my GP for a coeliac test?
Yes. If you have symptoms such as persistent bloating, diarrhoea, stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, tiredness or anaemia, or a first-degree relative with coeliac disease, your GP can request the same tTG-IgA test on the NHS. People choose a private test to avoid the wait, or because they want an answer before a GP appointment. A positive private result can be taken straight to your GP for referral.
Where can I get a coeliac test near me?
At any of Goodbody's 250+ partner clinics across the UK, usually within a few days, or with a nurse who comes to your home to take the sample. Choose your clinic and time when you order. No GP referral is needed. Find your nearest clinic.
Is a coeliac test the same as a gluten intolerance test?
No. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition with a specific blood test and a clear diagnosis. Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity has no blood test; it is identified by ruling coeliac disease out and then seeing whether symptoms improve off gluten. This test is the first step in either case, because coeliac disease must be excluded before a gluten-free trial makes sense.
What do coeliac blood test results mean?
Your report shows the tTG-IgA level against the laboratory's reference range. A raised result means coeliac disease is likely and you should see your GP for referral to a specialist to confirm it. A normal tTG-IgA with normal total IgA makes coeliac disease unlikely if you were eating gluten. A normal tTG-IgA with low total IgA is inconclusive, and your GP report will recommend the alternative IgG-based test.
| Result | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| tTG-IgA raised | Coeliac disease likely; see your GP for referral and biopsy |
| tTG-IgA normal, total IgA normal | Coeliac disease unlikely, provided you were eating gluten |
| tTG-IgA normal, total IgA low | Result unreliable; an IgG-based test is needed |
What are the signs and symptoms of coeliac disease?
Common signs are bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, stomach pain, wind, nausea, unexplained weight loss and tiredness. It can also show as iron-deficiency anaemia, mouth ulcers, an itchy blistering rash (dermatitis herpetiformis), tingling in the hands and feet, or, in children, poor growth. Many adults have mild or no gut symptoms, which is why anaemia or tiredness with no obvious cause is a reason to test.
What happens next
Your results and GP report are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory. The report explains each marker in plain language, flags anything outside the reference range and says what to do next, including when to take the result to your own GP. All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
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Available testing locations for Coeliac Screen Blood Test
Aberdeen Clinic GCI Advanced Aesthetics
Abergavenny Clinic Amatsu Centre
Airdrie Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Aldershot Clinic Wellington Pharmacy
Alton Clinic Four Marks Pharmacy
Andover Clinic Dr Malaika Clinics
Anniesland Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Arlesey Clinic Waterloo Farm Wellness
Armadale Clinic Dears Pharmacy
Ascot Clinic Ascot Pharmacy
AshbyDeLaZouch Clinic Aeternum Aesthetics
Ashford Clinic Breakspear Pharmacy
Aveley Clinic Doctor B Aesthetics
Aylesbury Clinic Aura Body Clinic
Aylesbury Clinic Pearlfect Care Pharmacy
Aylsham Clinic North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care
Ballingry Clinic
Barnet Clinic Co Wellbeing
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More Information
How our blood tests work
Have your blood taken in-clinic by one of our skilled phlebotomists and check multiple biomarkers in one go. Many of our tests can also be done in the comfort of your own home with one of our easy-to-use test kits.
Testing
Take a test, either in the comfort of your own home, with a nurse visit, or at one of our clinics nationwide.
Analysis
Your sample is analysed in the clinic, laboratory or using your home test equipment.
Results
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory.
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is right for you?
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Meet our Goodbody Experts
Our team of professionals has decades of experience so you can be sure you’re getting the best tests and support to understand and improve your health.
Get in touch with Our Team
Dr Lebeth Jacob
BSc (Hons) MBChB
Registered GP & Lead Medical Advisor
Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev
MA, PhD, FRSM
Clinical Support Advisor
Dr Cheng Boon
MBCHB, MRCP, FRCR
Consultant Oncologist
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