Celiac Diagnosis & Symptoms

Celiac disease is hard to diagnose.

Because there are so many different symptoms, which present in so many different ways, it’s often difficult to tell if someone has Celiac disease. Over the last few years testing has improved dramatically.

Testing for Celiac Disease

Blood Testing

A first step is a blood test for anti-bodies marking celiac disease. But, these tests sometimes don’t show positively because the amount of anti-bodies is too low to detect. On the other hand the tests sometimes show up a false positive.

Intestinal Biopsy

The only real test for diagnosing celiac disease is an intestinal biopsy. A camera through the mouth into the small intestine allows doctors to visually check the state of the villi. At the same time small samples of the intestine are taken and tested for damage and atrophy.

Get Tested

It's thought that only twenty percent of people who actually have Celiac disease are diagnosed. If in doubt, it’s worth getting tested. Especially if you have a first degree relative who has the disease, where the chances are higher. Celiac disease is very serious.

Who Gets Celiac Disease?

Research says around 1 in 133 people carry the Celiac gene, just over 1% of the population. Many who have celiac disease are misdiagnosed because symptoms overlap with other illnesses. Many people don’t get tested, don’t know they’ve got the gene and live with the disease and all its life-draining symptoms.

It’s estimated that 80% of the Celiac disease population don’t know they have it. If in doubt, or you experience symptoms, it’s worth getting checked.

First-degree relatives of someone with Celiac disease should be tested as there is a 5-15% chance of them developing Celiac disease.

abdominal bloating and pain
chronic diarrhea
vomiting
constipation
pale, foul-smelling or fatty stool

weight loss
fatigue
irritability and behavioral issues
dental enamel defects in permanent teeth

delayed growth and puberty
short stature
failure to thrive
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms. One third experience diarrhea.
unexplained iron-deficiency anemia fatigue bone or joint pain arthritis osteoporosis or osteopenia (bone loss)	liver and biliary tract disorders (transaminitis, fatty liver, primary sclerosing cholangitis, etc.) depression or anxiety peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness or pain in hands and feet)	seizures or migraines missed menstrual periods infertility or recurrent miscarriage canker sores inside the mouth Dermatitis Herpetiformis (itchy skin rash)

Long term implications of leaving celiac disease untreated can include:
Iron deficiency anemia Osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone density) Infertility & miscarriage	Vitamin & mineral deficiencies Central & peripheral nervous system disorders	Pancreatic insufficiency Gall bladder malfunction Lactose intolerance

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Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

Many people who don’t have celiac disease can’t tolerate gluten. The terms Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) and Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS) describe those people for whom living a gluten-free lifestyle clears symptoms.

It’s thought that between 0.5%-13% of people may have NCGS. Symptoms include tummy pains, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, anemia, headaches, fogginess, depression, chronic fatigue, skin rash, leg numbness and joint pain.