Myths vs facts: Zöliakie Test and Sport

Myth: Celiac testing is only needed if you have digestive symptoms. Fact: Celiac disease can present with fatigue, joint pain, or be asymptomatic. Diagnosis requires serology (tTG-IgA) and duodenal biopsy. Genetic tests for HLA-DQ2/DQ8 indicate risk only, not disease. Myth: A gluten-free diet boosts athletic performance for everyone. Fact: Only individuals with confirmed celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity benefit from a strict gluten-free diet to prevent inflammation and malabsorption. For athletes with celiac, monitoring iron, vitamin B12, and calcium is crucial. In non-celiac athletes, gluten restriction does not improve performance or recovery. Evidence for celiac testing is strong (human-strong), but for sports performance claims it is mechanistic and practice-based. Consumer DNA tests overstate their role; they cannot diagnose celiac disease. Always consult a gastroenterologist for proper testing.