What is gluten sensitivity?
Gluten is a family of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. Most people digest it without trouble. In celiac disease, the immune system reacts to fragments of gluten and can affect the lining of the small intestine. Others report discomfort with gluten without having celiac disease, which is often called non celiac gluten sensitivity. These are different experiences, and each is best understood with the help of a clinician.
How your genes play a role
Your immune system uses HLA molecules to show protein fragments to immune cells. Two specific types, HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, are strongly linked to celiac disease. Carrying one does not mean you will develop it, since many carriers never do. Not carrying either makes celiac disease very unlikely. Blood tests for antibodies, such as those against tissue transglutaminase, are used separately to check for an active immune response.
Knowing your HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 status can bring real clarity. For many people, a negative result helps rule out celiac disease as an explanation and opens the door to exploring other causes of discomfort. For others, carrying these types is useful context for family members and for a clinician deciding on further testing. It is best to keep eating as usual until you have spoken with your clinician, since cutting gluten early can affect antibody tests.
What your report shows
Your Gluten Sensitivity results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- HLA-DQ2 statusWhether you carry the HLA-DQ2 type most commonly linked to celiac disease.
- HLA-DQ8 statusWhether you carry HLA-DQ8, the second type linked to celiac disease.
- Genetic likelihoodWhether your profile makes celiac disease more possible or very unlikely.
- Family contextInformation that may be helpful for relatives, since HLA types are inherited.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| HLA-DQ2 | An immune presentation type that can display gluten fragments… | Typical |
| HLA-DQ8 | A related immune presentation type that is also linked… | Moderate effect |
| tTG | Tissue transglutaminase, an enzyme that modifies gluten fragments and… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| HLA-DQ2 | An immune presentation type that can display gluten fragments to immune cells, and the type most often found in celiac disease. |
| HLA-DQ8 | A related immune presentation type that is also linked to celiac disease, though less commonly. |
| tTG | Tissue transglutaminase, an enzyme that modifies gluten fragments and is the target of the main celiac antibody test. |
Full panel: 10 genes
HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8, TGAB, 2-TG, DGP-IgA, EMA, tTG, HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Continuing to eat gluten until you speak with your clinician keeps any future tests accurate.
Noting meals and symptoms can make a clinician visit more productive.
Oats, rice, quinoa and buckwheat add variety whatever your gluten choices.
Sharing results with relatives can help them decide whether to ask about testing.
Questions
Does carrying HLA-DQ2 mean I have celiac disease?
No. Many people carry it and never develop celiac disease. It means celiac disease is possible, and your clinician can decide whether antibody testing makes sense.
If I do not carry either type, can I still be sensitive to gluten?
Celiac disease becomes very unlikely, but other kinds of discomfort with wheat can still occur. A clinician can help you explore what might be behind your symptoms.
Should I go gluten free based on this report?
Please speak with your clinician first. Removing gluten before testing can make antibody tests less reliable.
Only interested in this area? The Gluten Sensitivity Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
