Gluten testing

OUR SERVICE WILL HELP YOU DISCOVER IF ACTION IS NEEDED

If your body reacts to gluten, you could have coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition. This means the body’s autoimmune system attacks its own tissues when you eat gluten, causing damage to the small bowel. As a result, your body can’t take in the nutrients it needs. Our gluten testing service helps you understand if you need to take action and get your symptoms under control.

WHICH PRODUCTS CONTAIN GLUTEN?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Products containing gluten include bread, cakes and biscuits, flour, pastry, pasta, pizza bases and breakfast cereals. Sausages, soups, sauces and ready meals may also contain gluten.

SYMPTOMS YOU MIGHT NOTICE

Diarrhoea

Abdominal pains

Unexpected weight loss

Tiredness and weakness

Bloating and excess wind

Swollen feet, legs, hands and arms

Mouth ulcers

Vomiting in children

GLUTEN TESTING SERVICE

Your pharmacy can help you find out if you have coeliac disease using our gluten testing service. We’ll take a blood test and check for the antibodies that occur when your immune system attacks gluten. These antibodies can indicate that you have coeliac disease.

Gluten testing requires a pinprick of blood. Ask your pharmacist for more details.

TREATMENT FOR COELIAC DISEASE

If you’re diagnosed with coeliac disease, you must follow a gluten-free diet.

You can also take supplements for your bones and to replace any vitamins and minerals you may be missing.

I HAVE THE SYMPTOMS OF COELIAC DISEASE, BUT THE TEST IS NEGATIVE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you have coeliac-type symptoms, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what may be causing them and how to manage them. You should be tested for coeliac disease if you experience symptoms such as fatigue, stomach ache and bloating, diarrhoea and persistent mouth ulcers.

AVAILABILITY

Select your preferred pharmacy to visit their page and enquire about this service.

Alternatively, you can just pop into your local pharmacy when it suits you.

Gluten testing

GLUTEN TESTING