Celiac HLA DQ Association Labcorp

This test aids in the diagnosis of celiac disease. The HLA DQ Association test provides genotyping for detection of HLA-DQ2 (DQA1*05:01 or 05:05 and DQB1*02:01 or 02:02) and HLA-DQ8 (DQB1*03:02). Patients with DQ2, half DQ2 and/or DQ8 are predisposed to celiac disease. A negative result essentially rules out celiac disease. In addition to DQ2 and DQ8 status, the report also includes complete DQA and DQB genotypes, homozygosity for DQB1*02 and genetic risk assessment.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a well-defined genetic predisposition and sensitivity to gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye) that causes inflammation in the small intestine, villous atrophy and malabsorption. Celiac disease can present with gastrointestinal symptoms and/or widely variable non-gastrointestinal findings such as iron deficiency anemia, dermatitis herpetiformis, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, short stature, neurologic symptoms and many more. Gastrointestinal symptoms are present in fewer than 50% of cases of systomatic celiac disease. Strict avoidance of gluten in the diet will rid inflammation in most cases, and celiac-associated antibodies are likely to disappear with time.