A breakthrough blood test that detects coeliac disease without patients having to eat gluten beforehand is being developed in Australia, with researchers hoping it will become available within two years.
More than 350,000 Australians live with coeliac disease, an autoimmune reaction to the gluten protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Current testing methods require patients to fast from gluten for weeks, which can put people off getting diagnosed due to anxiety or discomfort.
The new test, being developed by Australian researchers in collaboration with Novoviah Pharmaceuticals, involves mixing a person’s blood sample with gluten in a test tube to detect the presence of T cells that cause coeliac disease. This non-invasive method is expected to improve detection rates and provide accurate results for those on gluten-free diets.
A study of 181 blood samples found high accuracy in diagnosing coeliac disease, even in cases where patients had been on gluten-free diets for years. The test has the potential to “revolutionize” the diagnosis process, as it eliminates the need for invasive gastroscopy procedures and allows patients to get diagnosed without feeling anxious or uncomfortable.
The researchers aim to confirm the test’s accuracy across diverse populations and plan to make it available within two years. This breakthrough could bring significant relief to those living with coeliac disease, enabling them to receive accurate diagnoses and access life-altering treatments earlier.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-10/new-coeliac-disease-blood-test-gluten-free-diet/105393366