Stool sample testing

[TYH]

Hi, 

does anyone have any thoughts on testing a child for celiac through a stool sample. The doctor did stool testing on a child and said it was negative and there was no need for blood work.

[Scott Adams]

In general the best way to test for celiac disease would be a celiac disease blood panel. Can you tell us more about who did this test? Dr. Kenneth Fine from Enterolab is well known for using stool testing, but I believe he also uses genetic and blood tests as well.

[TYH]

A relative of mine suspected celiac. Her child's pediatrician told her that the stool sample came back negative so her child is negative for celiac so i was curious if it is another way to check or if bloodwork is still needed

[Scott Adams]

In general testing for celiac disease should include a blood test called a celiac disease blood panel. Here is more info about that. 

This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.

Children should also have the DGP tests included.