Allergy, Gluten

Gluten is a collection of seed storage proteins usually found in grains like wheat, barley, oats, and rye. It is usually found in food items like pasta, beer, soups, and breads etc.  It also forms a constituent of vitamins, cosmetics, and certain medications.

Some individuals develop a reaction on exposure to gluten-containing food and other substances. Due to such gluten sensitivity, a few patients develop complications like: 

• Celiac disease
• Wheat allergy 
• Non-celiac gluten allergy

Even though the symptoms of these diseases are similar, they are not the same.

Gluten sensitivity is a common health issue that occurs due to the body's inability to absorb certain carbohydrates found in gluten. A theory suggests that sensitivity / intolerance to gluten develops when bacteria seeps into the liver or bloodstream due to a faulty stomach lining.

A variety of symptoms exhibited by patients with gluten intolerance include: 

• Persistent abdominal pain
• Anaemia with iron-deficiency
• Anxiety 
• Bloating or feeling gassy 
• Trouble in concentrating 
• Depression
• Diarrhoea or constipation 
• Smelly faeces
• Skin reactions, including alopecia
• Lasting fatigue 
• Numbness in leg or arm 
• Anaphylaxis 
•  Nasal congestion
• Unexplainable weight loss
• Headache 
• Joint pain 
• Skin rash
• Nausea and vomiting

The symptoms of such intolerance can last from a few hours to days. Even though it can occur in anyone, it’s more common in women.

If left untreated, the sensitivity can take a life-threatening form of Anaphylaxis, leading to severe allergic reactions, including: 

• Swelling
• Hives
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Breathing difficulty

Upon regular observation of these symptoms, an expert medical professional suggests treatment to regulate the symptoms and manage gluten intolerance. The experts recommend a blood test to detect the presence of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and endomysial antibodies (EMA).

An experienced lab technician collects the blood specimen of the patient for gluten allergy diagnosis. The collection procedure requires venipuncture. Before extraction, the technician cleans the area with an antiseptic and withdraws blood from the vein using a surgical needle.

Usually, there is minimal discomfort faced by the patients after blood collection for gluten intolerance analysis. The common side effects include slight pain at the puncture site which normally subsides in a few days.

However, in a few rare cases, the patients may develop complications requiring immediate medical attention, such as: 

• Bruising at the puncture site
• Bleeding at the needle insertion point
• Light-headedness and nausea lasting beyond three days
• Irritation around the punctured area due to adhesive or bandage 
• Rashes around the puncture site
• Chronic pain around the extracted area

If the side effects last beyond three days, immediate medical consultation is advised.

Apollo 24|7 provides a list of laboratories across the country for the Allergy Gluten test. There's no cure for a gluten allergy. However, doctors recommend precautionary practices to manage the intolerance, such as:

• Consuming a low-fat diet rich in fibre
• Getting a routine diagnosis for: 

- Anaemia 
- Deficiency of vitamins and other nutrition 
- Cholesterol

• Exploring foods, drinks, and ingredients devoid of gluten 
• Reading the labels of foods and drinks to detect the presence of gluten 
• Routine intake of a gluten-free diet