Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is estimated to affect as many as 1% of the United States population. Triggered by an immune response to gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose. Though digestive symptoms are common in children with celiac disease, over 200 different symptoms have been observed in adult sufferers.

Blood tests and biopsies are used to diagnose celiac disease. These tests are most reliable when they are performed while gluten is still present in the diet, so it’s important to speak to your doctor about your concerns before making dietary changes. Before performing any diagnostic testing, your doctor will want to complete a physical exam, a medical history, and a review of your symptoms.

In this article, we’ll discuss the myriad symptoms that have been associated with celiac disease. You’ll learn the difference between classical and non-classical symptoms as well as symptoms in adults versus symptoms in children. You’ll also find a link to a helpful symptom assessment tool below.

Classical vs. Non-Classical Symptoms

The World Gastroenterology Organization divides celiac disease into two primary types: classical and non-classical. Classical symptoms of celiac disease involve signs of malabsorption such as diarrhea and steatorrhea (pale, fatty, foul-smelling stools) along with weight loss or failure to thrive in children.

Patients with non-classical celiac disease may present with mild gastrointestinal symptoms but may not show clear signs of malabsorption – they may also present with symptoms seemingly unrelated to celiac disease. Non-classical celiac disease symptoms may include abdominal pain and/or distension, chronic fatigue, iron-deficiency anemia, peripheral neuropathy, chronic migraine, reduced bone mass, unexplained infertility, dental enamel defects, depression, anxiety, or dermatitis herpetiformis.

In some cases, celiac disease is asymptomatic – this is known as “silent” celiac disease. Though patients may not complain of celiac disease symptoms, they may still experience damage to the villi lining the small intestine (a clinical sign of celiac disease). Patients in this category often report improved health and relief from general gastrointestinal distress upon switching to a gluten free diet.

Common Celiac Disease Symptoms in Children

Celiac disease tends to run in families, so it is particularly important to have your children screened if you suffer from the disease yourself. Children with celiac disease often present with different symptoms than adults, however, so you may not make the connection right away. Infants and children are more likely to experience digestive symptoms along with issues like delayed growth or failure to thrive.

Here is a checklist of common celiac disease symptoms in children:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Chronic diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Pale, fatty, or foul-smelling stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Short stature
• Dental enamel defects
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Delayed growth and puberty
• Failure to thrive

If your child is experiencing celiac disease symptoms, speak to your pediatrician. Keep in mind that diagnostic testing for celiac disease is more reliable when gluten is still present in the diet, so don’t change your child’s diet until you’ve spoken to your doctor and have a confirmed diagnosis.

Adult Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist

Because there is a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease for patients who have first-degree relatives with celiac disease, you should be proactive about screening if someone in your family has celiac disease. Adults are less likely to experience digestive symptoms than adults, which can make diagnosis tricky. There are, however, a certain list of symptoms that appear most frequently.

Here is a checklist of common celiac disease symptoms in adults:

• Digestive issues
• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog
• Bone and joint pain
• Arthritis
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• Osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Depression or anxiety
• Liver and biliary tract disorders
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Chronic migraines
• Seizures
• Missed menstrual periods
• Canker sores inside the mouth
• Infertility
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Dermatitis herpetiformis

To diagnose celiac disease, your doctor may want to perform blood tests to check for certain antibodies which may indicate autoimmune disease. In some cases, blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies (particularly iron) may be conducted, and a small intestine biopsy may be recommended to confirm a celiac disease diagnosis. Though celiac disease can be tricky to diagnose and there is no known cure, most patients experience a significant improvement in symptoms by switching to a gluten free diet.

Try the CDF Symptoms Assessment Tool

The Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) is a leader in the ongoing fight to increase the rate of diagnosis, to improve treatments, educate the public about celiac disease, and to find a cure for celiac disease. Established in 1990, the Celiac Disease Foundation continues to collaborate with physicians, dieticians, researchers, mental health professionals, and retailers to expand and facilitate patient-centered research to help bring an end to the suffering caused by celiac disease.

Schär has been an avid supporter of the foundation since its inception in 2007 and continues to be the exclusive food sponsor of the CDF’s Symptoms Assessment Tool. This tool exists to help individuals determine their risk for celiac disease based on their current symptoms.

Here’s how the Celiac Disease Foundation Symptoms Assessment Tool works:

1. Indicate whether you have an immediate family member (parent, sibling, or child) with celiac disease.
2. Indicate whether you are following a strict gluten-free diet.
3. Select from a list of general symptoms you’re experiencing:
   • Unexplained anemia
   • Fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome
   • Failure to thrive
   • IgA deficiency
   • Malnutrition or vitamin deficiency
   • None of the above
4. Indicate any behavioral or nervous system conditions you’re experiencing.
5. Select gastrointestinal symptoms from a list of options.
6. Indicate any ongoing musculoskeletal, reproductive, skin, or dental conditions you have.
7. Indicate any other conditions or autoimmune disorders you’ve been diagnosed with.

Once you’ve completed the assessment, you’ll receive a response indicating your level of risk for celiac disease. If you have an increased risk for celiac disease, the CDF recommends making an appointment with your physician to discuss celiac screening. You can even get your results in letter form to take to your physician. You can also sign up to receive coupons for Schär Gluten Free foods.