Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—triggers the immune system to attack the small intestine. Over time, this immune response damages the intestinal lining, making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients properly.

Celiac disease can affect people of all ages and often runs in families, making genetics a key risk factor. While some individuals experience noticeable symptoms, others may have silent damage that goes undetected for years without screening or testing.

If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious long-term health issues, including anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, neurological problems, and even certain digestive cancers.

Symptoms of celiac disease vary widely from person to person, and some people have no obvious symptoms at all. Common digestive symptoms may include:

• Abdominal discomfort or cramping
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Weight loss
• Indigestion

Other symptoms may include:

• Fatigue or low energy
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Bone loss or osteoporosis
• Itchy, blistering skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Headaches or brain fog
• Irritability or mood changes

In children, symptoms may include:

• Poor appetite
• Delayed growth or puberty
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Behavioral issues

How Is Celiac Diagnosed?

Diagnosing celiac disease involves a combination of blood tests and intestinal evaluation. If you suspect you may have celiac disease, do not start a gluten-free diet before testing, as removing gluten can affect the accuracy of results.

If your doctor suspects celiac, they may order blood tests to look for certain antibodies that are elevated in people with celiac disease.

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend an upper endoscopy. During this procedure, a small camera is used to examine the small intestine, and tiny tissue samples (biopsies) are taken. These biopsies are then analyzed for damage consistent with celiac disease.

The only current effective treatment for celiac disease is following a gluten-free diet. Once gluten is removed from the diet, most people begin to feel better within a few weeks, and the small intestine usually begins to heal within months.

For most patients, symptoms resolve completely with dietary changes. However, in rare cases where symptoms persist despite eliminating gluten, the condition may be classified as refractory celiac disease, which may require treatment with medications such as steroids or other immune-suppressing therapies.