• People can have coeliac disease and yet show no or few symptoms
• Screening can help diagnose coeliac disease earlier in people at risk
• Close relatives of those with the condition should be offered screening, even if they have no symptoms
• Coeliac disease must be screened for before irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is diagnosed.

There are some factors which can suggest coeliac disease, even in someone who doesn't have symptoms. Screening people can help diagnose coeliac disease earlier.

NICE has advised that people with close relatives (for example father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister) are at increased risk of coeliac disease and so should be offered a test for coeliac disease, even if they have no symptoms. This would involve having a blood test in the first instance.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms of coeliac disease, you should discuss your concerns with your GP, who may then offer you a blood test. You can also take our online assessment to check if your symptoms may be related to coeliac disease. Our assessment provides a result that, if positive, can help with your discussions with your GP. NICE has advised that your doctor should also offer you a blood test if you have:

• Type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis
• autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis
• irritable bowel syndrome (in adults).

Blood tests for coeliac disease should also be considered in people with:

• Down's syndrome
• Turner syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Almost a quarter of people with coeliac disease had previously been told they had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or were treated for it before they were diagnosed with coeliac disease, according to recent research¹. It is important that the NICE Guidelines are followed and that coeliac disease is screened for before a diagnosis of IBS is given.

Family

Coeliac disease does run in families but not in a predictable way. Around 1 in 10 close relatives of people with coeliac disease (for example, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister) will be at risk of coeliac disease.

Anyone who has a close relative with coeliac disease should be tested for coeliac disease. The first step is to contact your GP and request a blood test.

_{1 Card TR, Siffledeen J, West J, et al. 2013 An excess of prior irritable bowel syndrome diagnoses or treatments in celiac disease: evidence of diagnostic delay. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. Jul; 48 (7) 801-7}