In my practice as a dietitian I see people who start a gluten or wheat free diet without having coeliac disease medically investigated.

It is important readers know they must be eating wheat (four slices of bread or equivalent) for six weeks before being tested for coeliac disease.

If the screening test is positive, see your GP about having a laboratory test and, if needed, a small bowel biopsy.

Wheat must continue to be eaten during this period of testing.

The tests for coeliac disease are unreliable if people have started to eat a wheat free diet.

For more information regarding coeliac disease and its diagnosis, see Coeliac Australia's website www.coeliac.org.au.

The position statement from Coeliac Australia on this finger prick testing says it is inferior to laboratory testing.

It says a positive test does not confirm diagnosis of coeliac disease and a negative test does not exclude coeliac disease.

People should seek specialist advice if they have symptoms suggesting coeliac disease even if they have a negative test.

Leanne Baulch

Accredited practising dietitian

Leeton