Who can order an imaware™ test?
This test is only for adults aged 18 and older.
What if I have IgA deficiency?
An estimated 2% of people with celiac disease also have selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. If someone has IgA deficiency and celiac disease, the IgA deficiency can cause a false negative on a celiac disease antibody test. However, those with IgA deficiency should be tested for celiac disease because they are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop an autoimmune response to gluten than the general population.
To navigate a false positive, those with IgA deficiency should be tested for IgG-tTG antibodies instead of IgA-tTG. That's why we include the IgG-tTG antibodies testing in our celiac screening test. Please note, like any celiac disease blood test, you will have to go back to eating gluten regularly for at least 6 weeks prior to testing - of course, please see a doctor if you are suffering a severe allergic reaction when consuming gluten. Read more about IgA deficiency.
Does the celiac disease screening test diagnose you with celiac disease?
No, at this time you can only be diagnosed with an upper endoscopy biopsy, which is prescribed and carried out by a medical professional. A positive celiac disease screening result with imaware™ provides accurate likelihood based on a lab analysis of 4 key biomarkers. If likelihood is high, your results report can be used to engage with a gastroenterologist to continue along on your path to a diagnosis.
Do I really have to go back to eating gluten if I've already been gluten-free?
Unfortunately, yes. Your blood test (and subsequent small intestinal biopsy) will not be accurate if you are not eating enough gluten. You'll need to go back to a gluten-containing diet for at least 6 weeks for any blood test to be valid. If you have an allergy to wheat or consuming any amount of gluten makes you very ill, please consult with a physician first.
What is the difference between the celiac disease screening and the celiac disease monitoring tests?
The celiac disease screening test is for those that are still eating gluten, designed to provide a scale of likelihood that someone has the disease. The celiac disease monitoring test, on the other hand, is for those already diagnosed with celiac disease who want to make sure their biomarker levels are declining into a normal range with a strict gluten-free diet. The monitoring test measures the effectiveness of a gluten-free diet based on your biomarkers trending down over a period of time.
What will my results tell me?
Your imaware™ celiac screening test results will tell you how likely you are to have celiac disease. A blood test is only the first step to diagnosis, but it will provide a clear indicator of likelihood. Results that indicate a high likelihood of having celiac disease can be used to engage with a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy and biopsy to confirm active celiac disease.
Who should take this test?
This test is ideal for anyone experiencing:
- Regular digestive distress
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin rash
- Unexplained anemia
Anyone with a family history, specifically a first-degree relative with celiac disease, should be screened for celiac disease regularly since it increases your risk of having the disease.
Can my doctor use imaware™ results?
Yes. All of our tests are performed by CLIA-certified labs, the gold standard in lab testing quality regulation. Within your results report you will also find detailed information intended for your healthcare professional. They can use this information to interpret your test results clearly. To see an example of this, you can request a sample report at the top of this page.
How should I prepare for this test?
If you are not currently eating gluten regularly (at least a few crackers worth of gluten-containing food a day), you must add gluten back into your diet for 6-8 weeks before taking the celiac disease screening test. Do not take this test if you are currently following a gluten-free diet, as your results will not be accurate. If you have an allergy to wheat or experience a severe reaction when consuming any volume of gluten, please consult with a physician first.
What is the difference between the celiac disease screening and the celiac disease monitoring tests?
The celiac disease screening test is to first screen for Celiac Disease in someone that is still eating gluten. The celiac disease monitoring test is for someone already diagnosed with Celiac Disease who wants to make sure their numbers are declining with a strict gluten free diet.
Are imaware™ results as accurate as a lab-based test?
Yes. Not only are your results as accurate as traditional lab tests, but we’re actually the first at-home small volume blood testing company to have our data and methods peer-reviewed by the scientific and medical community — which helps validate our claims and our results reports. Read more about our peer review and scientific validation.
How do I receive my test results?
You’ll receive an email from us within 7 days of your sample return. The email will contain a link to view and download your test results on our secure digital health platform once they’ve been analyzed by our labs and reviewed by a doctor.
Are imaware™ test results reviewed by a doctor?
Yes, all our test results are reviewed by a physician during the lab analysis process to ensure the third party validation of your results.
My state requires physician orders for tests like imaware™. Do you provide this for me?
Yes, we provide physician orders for every test in every state (even those that do not require them). You don’t need to get a prescription or pay extra for this service as it’s included in the purchase price of each test.