The condition requires avoiding gluten to manage symptoms.
Abdominal pain, bloating, or gasChronic diarrhea (may be constant, or on and off for several weeks)ConstipationPale, foul-smelling, or oily stoolNausea and vomitingUnexplained weight loss
Celiac disease can cause problems in other parts of the body, too. And some of these symptoms are more common in adults than in children.
Anemia (low red blood cell count)Fatigue (extreme tiredness that doesn’t go away with sleep)Infertility or miscarriagesMissed menstrual periodsDepression or anxietySeizuresCanker sores or ulcers inside the mouthBone or joint painOsteoporosis (weak, porous bones that break more easily)Itchy, blistery skin rashesHair lossTingling or numbness in hands or feetHeadaches
Rheumatoid arthritisLupusThyroid diseaseSjögren’s syndromeType 1 diabetesAddison’s diseaseAutoimmune hepatitisMultiple sclerosis
Blood tests Your blood sample will be checked for special proteins called antibodies. Certain antibodies tend to be elevated in people with celiac disease. Before your blood test, you should continue to eat foods containing gluten. Cutting out gluten before testing is complete could delay your diagnosis.Endoscopy Your doctor may ask a gastroenterologist to perform an endoscopy to confirm your diagnosis if a blood test shows you may have celiac disease. You’ll swallow a small, flexible tube containing a tiny camera. Through this tube, your doctor will perform a biopsy, removing a tiny piece of tissue from the wall of your small intestine. A specialist (usually a pathologist) will view this tissue under a microscope to see whether it has been damaged by celiac disease.Genetic testing Your doctor may order a genetic test to rule out a celiac disease diagnosis. Most people with celiac disease carry a certain variant of the HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 genes. But many people without celiac disease also have these variants, so celiac disease can’t be diagnosed by genetic testing alone.Capsule endoscopy Your doctor may order this test, in which you swallow a tiny camera inside a small capsule that travels through your digestive tract. The camera takes thousands of photos that are transmitted and recorded.
CosmeticsSkin and hair productsToothpaste and mouthwashPlay-DohCommunion wafersGlue on envelopes and stamps
You can never be too careful. Read ingredient labels carefully when you’re out shopping and advise family and friends to do the same when shopping for you.
Use food and product labels to identify ingredients that contain glutenUnderstand which foods are naturally gluten-freeFind and eliminate hidden sources of gluten from the dietMake healthy food choicesDesign meal plansAfter starting on a gluten-free diet, individuals with celiac disease will continue to see a doctor for periodic checkups to make sure the condition is improving. Many doctors recommend a follow-up visit four to six weeks after you start the diet, notes Coeliac UK.
But keep in mind that some vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements may contain gluten. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any nutritional supplement to make sure it doesn’t contain gluten. Steroids are typically taken for a short period of time to suppress the immune system and stop the body’s harmful immune response.
Bouillon cubesBrown rice syrupCandyChewing gumChips, including seasoned tortilla and potato chipsCold cuts, hot dogs, salami, and sausageCommunion wafersFrench friesGravyImitation fishRice mixesSoy sauceBeer and malt beverages
Gluten-Free Foods
Cutting gluten out of your diet may seem like a difficult task, but many foods, including the following, are naturally gluten-free:
FruitsVegetablesFresh cuts of meat and poultryFish and seafoodDairyBeans, legumes, and nuts
Beware, though, that prepared or processed versions of any of the above foods, such as sausage or ice cream, may contain gluten. Many gluten-free grains and starches can be substituted for wheat and other gluten-containing grains:
RiceCornPotato (but not potato chips)TapiocaSorghumSoyQuinoaMilletArrowrootAmaranthTeffFlaxChiaGluten-free oatsBuckwheatNut floursBean flours
Tips for Dining Out on a Gluten-Free Diet
The following strategies may help you stick to your gluten-free diet when eating out:
Choose a restaurant with gluten-free options. This means a place that serves naturally gluten-free foods or has a special gluten-free menu.Inform your waiter. Let them know you have celiac disease and may get sick if you eat anything containing gluten, including flour, bread crumbs, or soy sauce. Also ask them to inform the chef or cook. This way, you’ll have more confidence that nothing on your plate has touched gluten.Ask questions. Don’t assume anything is gluten-free. Omelets, for instance, may have pancake batter added to the egg mixture to make them fluffier, and baked potatoes can be coated with flour to make the skins brown and crispy.
Prevention of Celiac Disease
At this time, there is no proven way to prevent celiac disease. The best way to keep symptoms of celiac disease under control is to maintain a gluten-free diet.
Could Your Symptoms Be the Result of a Wheat Allergy?
If you’ve been tested for celiac and the results were negative, there’s a chance you simply have an allergy to wheat.
HeadachesStuffy or runny noseHives or a skin rashNausea and gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea or vomitingAsthmaAnaphylaxis (though this is uncommon)
These symptoms may appear after you eat foods with wheat, including bread, cereal, or granola. Because these foods also contain gluten, a wheat allergy is commonly called a “gluten allergy,” though there’s actually no such thing.
Could You Have Intolerance to Gluten (Nonceliac Gluten-Sensitivity)?
Gluten intolerance, also called nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), is a possibility if you’ve tested negative for both celiac disease and a wheat allergy. But unfortunately, there isn’t a good test to diagnose this condition. If your doctor suspects you have gluten intolerance, he or she may suggest a blood test and then a biopsy. If the biopsy is normal, your physician may suspect NCGS. The main treatment for NCGS is a gluten-free diet, but as with celiac, be sure to work with your healthcare team to make sure you’re properly nourishing your body. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch and Jane Okoji.
