Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic gluten-intolerance that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. The Celiac Panel tests two particular genes called DQA1 and DQB1. Each person has two copies of both genes, one from each parent. The test evaluates several different variations (alleles) of these genes to give an overall assessment of risk for developing celiac disease over a person’s lifetime. Some of the alleles tested carry more risk than others, with some allele combinations having a higher risk of developing celiac disease and others having just a small risk. Over 40% of the population carries one or more genetic markers for celiac disease but only 1% of the population will actually develop celiac disease. Someone with several of the risk alleles will have increased risk for developing celiac disease.