At-Home Tests Best At-Home Celiac Tests RXHomeTest offers the best at-home celiac tests By Anastasia Climan, RDN, CD-N Anastasia Climan, RDN, CD-N Anastasia, RDN, CD-N, is a writer and award-winning healthy lifestyle coach who specializes in transforming complex medical concepts into accessible health content. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 24, 2023 Fact checked by Sean Blackburn Fact checked by Sean Blackburn LinkedIn Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. People with celiac disease have a lifelong autoimmunity to gluten, the primary protein found in wheat and a few other grains. Celiac disease has risen in recent decades and the majority of people who have it go undiagnosed. When left untreated, celiac disease damages the gastrointestinal tract and can cause pain, bloating, malnutrition, weight loss, and a higher risk of some cancers. Fortunately, at-home testing is becoming more widely available. Some at-home celiac tests look for antibodies while others screen for genetic risk factors. Genetic testing can identify an increased susceptibility to celiac disease but cannot provide a diagnosis. In fact, many people whose genetic tests show an increase risk will never develop it, says Lisa Paglierani, a certified genetic counselor. In contrast, antibody testing checks for antibodies that form in response to gluten, which points toward a diagnosis. Still, all at-home tests are only a first step before seeking an official medical diagnosis (which typically requires an intestinal biopsy). Here are the companies we found that offer the best at-home celiac tests. Best At-Home Celiac Tests of 2023 Best for Accuracy: RXHomeTest Best for Ease of Use: GlutenID Best for Fast Results: Genovate Best At-Home Celiac Tests View All Best At-Home Celiac Tests Our Top Picks RXHomeTest GlutenID Genovate Final Verdict Compare Tests FAQs Methodology Best for Accuracy : RXHomeTest RXHomeTest Learn More Key Specs Price: $150 per testType of Test: Genetic and antibody screeningsWait Time for Results: About 5-7 business days after the lab receives the samples Why We Chose It We chose RXHomeTest for accuracy because you can get a genetic screening and an antibody test through the same company. RXHomeTest is affiliated with the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI), and its labs meet extensive quality and regulatory standards. Pros & Cons Pros Offers antibody and genetic testing through one company Use health savings account funds to pay for tests Company has strong credentials and medical affiliations Cons Can be pricey to get both tests completed Results can take awhile Tests are unavailable for residents of New York or New Jersey Overview The RXHomeTest celiac genetics test screens for the two genetic variants most commonly associated with celiac disease. A cheek swab is all that's required. Normally this test goes for $150, but it's sometimes on sale for $130. RXHomeTest also offers a celiac antibody test for the same price. You'll need to send in a blood sample by doing a finger prick with the equipment provided. This antibody test measures tissue trans-glut-aminase (IgA and IgG) and de-amidated gliadin peptide (IgA and IgG) which are considered the most effective assays. Tests are available for online purchase, and you can use money from a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), medical spending account (MSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to pay for them. Shipping is free, but the company can't ship to residents of New York or New Jersey due to state regulations. You should receive your kit in three to five business days, and after you send in the sample, the results are available within five to seven business days. RXHomeTest offers several food sensitivity and gut health tests, so if you're not sure what's causing your gastrointestinal symptoms, you can opt in to additional screenings. The process is simple and straightforward, with clear instructions on the website. You must first register your kit online which then will allow you to see your information and results. RXHomeTest is based in Portland, Oregon, and is part of the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute. Its labs use highly sensitive FDA-approved methods and meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), or COLA standards. Best for Ease of Use : GlutenID Targeted Genomics Learn More Key Specs Price: $195Type of Test: GeneticWait Time for Results: About 14 days after lab receives the sample Why We Chose It If you're curious about your genetic susceptibility to celiac, GlutenID is a non-invasive option that only requires a simple cheek swab. Pros & Cons Pros Negative test can rule out the need for antibody or biopsy testing Easy to use and non-invasive Cons Most people who test positive do not have celiac disease Not available in NY, MD, RI, or NJ No follow-up antibody tests Longer wait time for results Overview Genetic tests are easier than antibody tests because they only require a cheek swab, not a finger prick. Also, there's no need to change your diet. The company advises not eating or drinking at the same time you are swabbing your cheek. GlutenID looks for variants of two genes (HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1) commonly associated with celiac disease. This is the only type of testing this company does. About 30% of the population has these mutations, but only 3% go on to develop celiac disease. Genetic screening is a small but significant part of the puzzle when diagnosing celiac disease. Once you mail back your sample, you can view your results online or by email within 14 days of the lab receiving it. GlutenID is from a company called Targeted Genomics, founders of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with PacificDx in Irvine, California. Testing is performed in a CAP/CLIA-certified lab. Best for Fast Results : Genovate Genovate Learn More Key Specs Price: $249Type of Test: GeneticWait Time for Results: 1-3 days after the lab receives the sample Why We Chose It Genovate provides results within one to three days of the lab receiving your kit. This genetic test is one of the quickest available. Pros & Cons Pros Fast results Results can be viewed online, by email or mail Cons Expensive Markets some tests not validated by research Overview Similar to the other genetic tests, Genovate screens for mutations in the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genes. This test isn't cheap at $249, but discounts may be available. You can purchase the test online and view your results online, or receive them by mail or email. Just as with other at-home tests, once you receive your kit in the mail, you'll follow the instructions to collect your sample and mail it back for analysis. Genovate offers additional metabolic testing for issues like lactose intolerance, alcohol intolerance, and caffeine sensitivity. Most of Genovate's genetic testing revolves around paternity or maternity tests. It also offers a range of tests related to behavior traits, other disease risks, and ancestry, not all of which are validated by research. Final Verdict RXHomeTest is the best at-home celiac test overall because it's a one-stop shop for genetic and antibody testing. Although some could argue that a genetic test isn't necessary, it can be helpful information to give your healthcare provider before moving forward with a more invasive biopsy. For instance, if your genetic test comes back negative but your antibody test is positive, you may question the likelihood of celiac. If both tests are negative, you could consider other food sensitivities or health conditions that may be responsible for your symptoms (like inflammatory bowel disease or lactose intolerance). Having both tests is a solid baseline to guide you on how to proceed. Compare the Best At-Home Celiac Tests Brand Price Per Test Type of Test Wait Time for Results Best for Accuracy RXHomeTest $150 Genetic and antibody About 5-7 business days after the lab receives the samples Best for Ease of Use GlutenID $195 Genetic About 14 days after the lab receives the sample Best for Fast Results Genovate $249 Genetic 1-3 days after the lab receives the sample Frequently Asked Questions Does Celiac Show Up in Routine Blood Work? No, routine blood tests do not look for antibodies that develop in response to eating gluten. However, routine blood work can identify iron-deficiency anemia, which can be a symptom of celiac disease and may lead to additional testing and evaluation by a healthcare provider. Learn More Why Anemia and Celiac Disease Are Often Found Together What Are the Early Warning Signs of Celiac Disease? Celiac disease can have a wide range of symptoms and some people have no warning signs. Possible symptoms include bloating and gas, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, depression and anxiety, iron-deficiency anemia, or unexplained weight loss. Are At-Home Celiac Tests Accurate? Reputable testing companies use proven methods to analyze your sample. However, there are limitations to what you can assume based on an antibody test or genetic screening. Always follow up with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis, which may require you to answer questions about your family medical history and symptoms. You'll also likely need intestinal biopsies to evaluate any disease progression. Can You Get a False-Positive Celiac Test? False positives on an antibody test can occur in people with other health issues, like liver disease or an intestinal infection. False negatives can occur if you didn't consume enough gluten prior to testing. Problems with genetic testing are unlikely unless the quality of the sample is poor, but you could test positive for a genetic tendency to celiac disease and never actually develop the disease. How Long Before an At-Home Celiac Test Should You Eat Gluten? For antibody tests, most companies recommend eating gluten for six to eight weeks before taking your blood sample. Genetic tests don't require any dietary changes. Methodology We looked at over a dozen companies that provide celiac-related testing and narrowed it down to four that we felt were worth recommending. Tests that charge excessive shipping costs (because they were coming from overseas) or that look for broad markers not specific enough to celiac (such as general gluten sensitivity or gut bacteria imbalances) were discounted. All of the companies chosen include an easy-to-use online system to access your results and are overseen by qualified healthcare professionals, such as board-certified doctors and genetic counselors. d3sign / Moment / Getty Images Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Caio G, Volta U, Sapone A, et al. Celiac disease: a comprehensive current review. BMC Med. 2019;17(1):142. doi:10.1186/s12916-019-1380-z Lebwohl B, Ludvigsson JF, Green PHR. Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. BMJ. 2015:h4347. doi:10.1136/bmj.h4347 Kowalski K, Mulak A, Jasińska M, Paradowski L. Diagnostic challenges in celiac disease. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2017;26(4):729-737. doi:10.17219/acem/62452 U.S. National Library of Medicine. HLA-DQA1 gene. Freeman HJ. Iron deficiency anemia in celiac disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9233-8. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9233 Celiac Disease Foundation. Symptoms of celiac disease. By Anastasia Climan, RDN, CD-N Anastasia, RDN, CD-N, is a writer and award-winning healthy lifestyle coach who specializes in transforming complex medical concepts into accessible health content. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies