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Self Tests reliable?

CMCM
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CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted

People have mentioned self administered test kits....are they accurate or reliable?  If so, can anyone recommend what is good and where you might get them?

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Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Alcat, which is a site sponsor, has a full celiac panel that is as accurate. Click here to read more about it.

There are other companies like imaware that offer the tests, but I don't know which labs they use, and don't think they offer the DPG test that Alcat does offer.

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
  • Author

I ordered the test, it should reach me by Wednesday the 20th.  

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

Please share your testing experience with us.

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
  • Author

Will do!   I was re-reading my long ago purchased book "Dangerous Grains", which was published in 2002, and he mentioned that a new type of celiac test was coming that used a skin prick blood sample and which could be done at home.  I wonder if this test I just ordered is exactly that!  

My test is supposed to arrive Wednesday, and I'll send it off right away, but don't know how long to get results.  Has anyone else around here used this particular test (imaware)?

Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

I think they turn around results quickly, and you should know within a week.

  • 2 months later...
JenniK Contributor
JenniK
Posted
(edited)

EDIT: i think i found the answer. I was confused. You ordered Imaware, not Alcat. Still interested in results. 
 

Is there any update on the Alcat test? Did you like the process/ results? I looked at the website and ca’t figure out where/ how to order it. Is it a home test, or does one still need to find a lab for a blood draw?

Edited by JenniK
Confusion
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Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

I did get the full Alcat testing done, and received a very detailed report from them which contained about 4 items on the "severe" list that surprised me, but were easily avoidable as I didn't eat them often. The moderate list had items on it that also surprised me, including brown and white rice, sorghum, mustard seed, coffee, and other things, and I'm supposed to avoid them for at least 3 months. After 3 weeks on the diet I did notice improvements, but I can say that, at least in my case, the resulting diet can be difficult to maintain. I think there is merit to doing this, but will admit that I'm a coffee junkie...I've cheated with coffee. Rice is tough too, and I did the diet perfectly for 1 month, but have faltered lately (with those two things). I still plan to write an article about my experience for Celiac.com.

  • 1 month later...
Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted
On 4/7/2021 at 6:22 AM, JenniK said:

EDIT: i think i found the answer. I was confused. You ordered Imaware, not Alcat. Still interested in results. 
 

Is there any update on the Alcat test? Did you like the process/ results? I looked at the website and ca’t figure out where/ how to order it. Is it a home test, or does one still need to find a lab for a blood draw?

Here is the article, finally, on my ALCAT experience:

 

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      You might find this helpful:   
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