Is gluten the problem? 

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that results in a wide range of  symptoms. Coeliac disease can present at any age and is more common amongst people with close family members who also have the disease. Although coeliac disease affects 1% of the UK population, only 30% of these realise that they have the condition. It can take many years to reach a correct diagnosis, so it’s important to be aware of the common symptoms of coeliac disease and seek medical advice before making changes to your diet.

In people with coeliac disease, eating gluten causes chronic inflammation of the small intestine. This can trigger a raft of symptoms with varying degrees of severity. Some people with coeliac disease may have no symptoms at all (asymptomatic coeliac disease). Early recognition and treatment of coeliac disease will resolve symptoms and prevent medical complications associated with the condition.

Possible symptoms of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease damages the delicate lining of the small intestine, this often results in a number of gut-related symptoms. The gut damage observed in untreated coeliac disease leads to poorer absorption of nutrients from food and deficiencies of key vitamins and minerals, eg calcium and iron. Some people experience few or no gut symptoms, however, other, more general symptoms, located outside of the gut are also very common in coeliac disease. 

Gastrointestinal symptoms can include:

Diarrhoea/constipation                       

nausea/ vomiting       

bloating

abdominal pain

Excessive wind               

General symptoms can include:

Exhaustion, fatigue

Headaches

Anaemia

muscle & joint pain

recurring mouth sores

delayed growth in children.

Unexplained weight loss*

*many people with coeliac disease are a healthy weight/ overweight at diagnosis.

Coexisting conditions of coeliac disease

It is also recommended that testing should be considered in people with unexplained vitamin and mineral deficiencies (particularly vitamin B12, folic acid, iron and calcium deficiencies). Undiagnosed/ untreated coeliac disease is also associated with osteoporosis, raised liver enzymes and infertility. Furthermore, unexplained neurological symptoms are also associated with condition, for example, depression, ataxia (poor balance & co-ordination) and neuropathy (numbness, tingling & muscle weakness). 

People with an increased risk of coeliac disease

Some people have a genetically-related increased risk of coeliac disease, for example, if a close family member (mother, father, son, daughter or sibling) e has the condition. Individuals with genetic syndromes such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome or Williams syndrome should also be tested for coeliac disease.. People with certain autoimmune disorders are also at greater risk of coeliac disease. These disorders include:

Type 1 diabetes

Autoimmune liver diseases

Hashimoto thyroiditis and Grave's disease

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Do you think you might have coeliac disease? .

If you think you are experiencing symptoms associated with coeliac disease, make an appointment to visit your GP. Your GP can arrange a blood test to look for coeliac-specific antibodies and provide advice on next steps. If the diagnosis is confirmed, a strict  gluten-free diet will relieve symptoms and allow your gut to heal. Please note: it’s essential that you don’t remove gluten from your diet before being tested for coeliac disease, otherwise your test results may not be accurate.