Celiac Disease Symptoms

By Scott Adams
Published 02/8/2007
Celiac Disease Information
Rating: Unrated

Scott Adams

In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed and living happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease, and since then it has become an invaluable resource to people worldwide who seek information about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet.

In 1998 I created The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore! which was also another Internet first—it was the first gluten-free food site to offer a shopping cart-style interface, and the ability for people to order gluten-free products manufactured by many different companies at a single Web site.

View all articles by Scott Adams

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Celiac.com 02/08/2007 - There are no signs or symptoms typical for all people with celiac disease. Signs and symptoms and can vary greatly from person to person.

People with celiac disease often have general gastric complaints, such as intermittent diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating. Some people with celiac disease, however, suffer no gastrointestinal discomfort at all.

To make matters of diagnosing celiac disease even more challenging, celiac symptoms can also mimic symptoms of other conditions, such as anemia, Crohns disease, gastric ulcers, irritable bowel, parasitic infection, even various skin disorders or nervous conditions.

It is not uncommon for celiac disease to present itself with symptoms that are far more vague. Such symptoms can include: dental and bone disorders (such as osteoporosis), depression, irritability, joint pain, mouth sores, muscle cramps, skin rash, stomach discomfort, and even tingling in the legs and feet (neuropathy).

Celiac disease results in malabsorption of nutrients.

Depending on the degree of malabsorption, the signs and symptoms of celiac disease vary among individuals, ranging from no symptoms, few or mild signs and symptoms, to many or severe signs and symptoms. There are two categories of signs and symptoms:

Signs and Symptoms of Malabsorption, Malnutrition, Vitamin and/or Mineral Deficiencies Associated with Celiac Disease:

Abdominal cramps, gas and bloating
Anemia
Borborygmi (stomach rumbling)
Coetaneous bleeding

Diarrhea
Easy bruising
Epitasis (nose bleeding)

Failure to thrive

Fatigue or general weakness
Flatulence
Fluid retention
Foul-smelling or grayish stools that are often fatty or oily
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Hematuria (red urine)

Hypocalcaemia/ hypomagnesaemia
Infertility
Iron deficiency anemia
lymphocytic gastritis
Muscle weakness
Muscle wasting
Nausea

No obvious physical symptoms (just fatigue, overall not feeling well)

Osteoporosis
Pallor (unhealthy pale appearance)
Panic Attacks
Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
Stunted growth in children
Vertigo
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin K deficiency

Vomiting
Voracious appetite

Weight loss
Obesity

Conditions and Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease:

Lastly, Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin disease that also associated with gluten intolerance. Rashes usually occurs on the elbows, knees and buttocks. dermatitis herpetiformis can also cause significant intestinal damage identical to that of celiac disease. However, people who suffer from dermatitis herpetiformis may also be entirely free of noticeable digestive symptoms. Treatment with a gluten-free diet, in addition to medication to control the rash, usually brings about significant improvement.

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Comments

#1 ( Kaya Merrill ) Rating: ratingfull

I have all the symptoms except for osteoporosis, and I am not a child. Thanks, Kaya.

#2 ( Penrose) Rating: ratingfull

After surviving rectal cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, an ileostomy, an ileostomy take down; food allergies - particularly to Gluten it seems - have worn me down to a frazzle and made me incredibly sick. Am undergoing testing for celiac disease and hope for the best. Thanks for the information.

#3 ( Robert Beebe) Rating: ratingfull

I was completely unaware that such a disease even existed. I have all of the symptoms! The treatment seems easy enough, which would be a good diagnostic tool. Thank you. B. Beebe

#4 ( Jeanette James) Rating: ratingfull

So very informative! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Jeanette

#5 ( beverly lees) Rating: ratingfull

I think that it is wonderful that there is this kind of information to the public, I myself have a rash and when I read about this I quit all bread and cereals, and my rash went away , thank you very much..

#6 ( Ginger) Rating: ratingfull

There is a last and final symptom and that is non Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer. That was how I found out that all my childhood pains and indigestions and such were directly linked to celiac disease. I went over and beyond gluten intolerance. My pathology book informed me of the final result after I'd done chemo and radiation. Go figure. lol

#7 ( Leah) Rating: ratingfull

This site has been a god send. I am a physician struggling with this disease and multiple other food allergies. It is nice to know that I, as a medical professional, do not feel as if I have to come up with all of my own answers. This disease definitely has been education for me in so many ways. Please keep the information and articles coming. By the way anyone looking for a great physician in Boston, I have been a patient of Dr. Catherine Cheney's for a while and she is top notch!

#8 ( Carles Ramos) Rating: ratingfull

Yes, you are right. Thanks for the info. I've got nine out of ten symptoms of the list and a few more: regular rashes of candidiasis, insomnia, hemorroids and last one, maybe related maybe not, bladder cancer.

#9 ( Vanda) Rating: ratingfull

I broke out 15 years ago and no one could tell me what was wrong. I broke out again last spring still no answers. My oldest daughter has been having problems and was diagnosed with celiac disease and was told it is hereditary. My youngest is also having the same symptoms so I will be scheduling an appointment to find out if I have celiac disease.

#10 ( Helen Jordan) Rating: ratingfull

I got on to this site, my daughter has all these symptoms, will follow up on this.

#11 ( stacey) Rating: ratingfull

Thanks for the info my son is 18 months old and has been in and out of hospital 4 the last six weeks he has quite a few of the symptoms you have said my son is being tested for celiac and he is on iron supplements - I am quite convinced that he has got it.

#12 ( Linda) Rating: ratingfull

How in God's name do you get through to people that this is NOT a joke, it's NOT just a tummy ache, and it's NOT in your head? As if I would be wasting time & money eating such a bloody expensive & inconvenient diet! Thanks for the DDX list. By the way, for some of us, it's severe constipation w/severe inflammation and other fun things like fistulas.

#13 ( RITA) Rating: ratingfull

Thank You for the informative information. I am now raising 4 grandchildren on my own (son deceased) and have found out that 2 of the children need to be on this diet. I hear how expensive it is and don't know how I am going to be able to accomplish all I need to for their benefit, but having this site for information and resources is a God send. Looking forward to trying some of the recipes.

#14 ( LOIS) Rating: ratingfull

THANKS FOR THE GOOD, CLEAR EXPLANATION. It is important to also mention non = celiac gluten sensitivity, as there are many more conditions that are caused by gluten consumption, including the many auto-immune diseases. New ones are being added to the list, such as Narcolepsy and even Parkinson's. Cutting out the consumption of gluten (wheat, barley and rye) can lead to healing and resumption of a normal life. Spread the word, support the research!

#15 ( RANJINI NAICKER) Rating: ratingfull

my son was diagnosed with lupus 14 years ago, I have just started the gluten free diet with extreme difficulty, any help would be welcomed. Thank you and kind regards.

#16 ( Robyn Russell) Rating: ratingfull

Another symptom no-one has mentioned is how it can affect the brain and make it impossible for the person to control anything they say and do after eating gluten. I know as this is how it affects my daughter. ADD no, OCD no, but she got very angry three hours after eating gluten. She also has the stunted growth.

#17 ( Maria Miron) Rating: ratingfull

I have all the symptoms except osteoporosis and instead of loosing weight I am a fat woman. Thanks Maria

#18 ( Raenette) Rating: ratingfull

Thanks for all this information. My husband has been to see a person calling himself a Naturopath, who looked into his eyes, and then declared him to be gluten-intolerant. My husband has none of the above symptoms, so I'm feeling reassured that I needn't go through the hassle of buying gluten-free products, when I'm trying to raise 4 kids on a restricted budget! We tried it for a week, but it's really very hard to keep up with if it's not really necessary.

#19 ( Marlene Magness) Rating: ratingfull

After reading your article, I intend to see my gastroenterologist for testing. I seem to have some of the symptoms of glucose intolerance. He recently tested me for lactose intolerance and found me to be highly lactose intolerant.

#20 ( Doug Merson) Rating: ratingfull

I have been working with my gastroenterologist for several years trying to diagnose my condition. She finally determined that my gallbladder needed to be removed, however my celiac symptoms got worse after that. My whole family has converted to a gluten free diet. For the most part things are working out for the better, but I still have the intestinal problems and overall fatigue even after 8 hours or more of sleep.

#21 ( D Super) Rating: ratingfull

After suffering with different things over the years I was recently tested for Celiac, which I will not received the results until next week, in order for the test to be accurate I had to eat a wheat and Gluten diet for at least 10 days before the test. I have not had wheat in my diet for the last 3 years. I started off with a few symptoms, headaches, gas, bloating, rash, needing to clear throat a lot, heart palpitations etc; What concerned me the most was as the days went on I was so fatigued could hardly get out of bed, my mind and motor skills slowed way down and got very fuzzy, was not able to make important decisions and certainly unable to drive. After eating pancakes with my daughter one morning we were talking and all of a sudden I wasn't able to form certain words. That was so very scary. I don't really need the results to tell me I have a problem with wheat and gluten, other than it being hereditary, and needing to know for sure. It frightens me to think so many people have this and will never know. They , meaning people and their doctors treat the symptoms and not the culprit. Thank you for all the information, I'm sure I will need it. Take Care and God Bless!

#22 ( Amber) Rating: ratingfull

I have had trouble with being overweight since I was a child. I am 20 yrs old now and weight 300. I get sick after I eat almost always. I get pains in my stomach , gas , or diarrhea. I also have dermatitis on my scalp. Been told several times its the way I eat, but after reading I think I could possibly have this. On another site someone mentioned boils. Have any of you experienced this? I have had issues with this myself. All in all this is a very informative site . Thank you

#23 ( Cheryl) Rating: ratingfull

I've had diarrhea for about 10 years. My temperature is always 97. Something instead of 98.6. I was sick at home one day and googled about low body temperatures and it said many times people with a gluten allergy run low temperatures..I immediately got off gluten and I have felt much better and my intake of Immodium is seldom instead of every day. Thanks for the website. I refer to it almost everyday for information.

#24 ( julie) Rating: ratingfull

I have suffered for years with what was diagnosed as IBS. I have almost all the symptoms in your article & more & after many many visits to the doctors over the years I have at last got a doctor who has had the decency to get me checked out properly. I am awaiting the results & hoping that the ignorance of my prior doctor hasn't caused it to have gone too far. I suggest that anyone suffering these conditions don't let their doctor fob them off as I have been for at least 15 years. The only difference I have to the symptoms in this article is that I gained weight and cannot get it off no matter what diet or exercise I do.

#25 ( Lynda) Rating: ratingfull

Robyn, So glad to read your comment. I knew it was not my imagination. My 16 year old has all the signs and her pediatrician thinks I'm crazy. She also has the joint and muscle pain, Mostly low back pain. I will continue to get the answers I need. Thank you!

#26 ( Amy) Rating: ratingfull

Whoa! #8... I had bladder cancer also! Is there a correlation??

#27 ( Sharon) Rating: ratingfull

This has been very informative. My husband has been suffering for many years. Now we have so much hope! Thanks!

#28 ( Hiromi) Rating: ratingfull

I have been suffering from severe iron deficient anemia for 2 years. My supplementation keeps being increased every time I meet with the doctor for a progress check. After meeting with 2 doctors who both expressed disbelief about my consistent supplementation, I finally met with a nutrionist who mentioned that gluten intolerance affects nutrient absorption and can cause anemia. I have been following a Gluten Free Diet for 4 weeks and have noticed that my rash has cleared, my acne (I'm 39) has cleared and I have had no problems with bloating or diarrhea. The more I read about Celiac disease, the more it clicks that my mother's side of the family has variations of all the symptoms and medical conditions. I am so thankful to have access to this information thanks to the internet and authors such as you!

#29 ( Donna) Rating: ratingfull

I am 55 years old. I've been diagnosed with everything from IBS, to stress disorders, etc. No doctor ever even suggested I may have Celiac. I have been sick as long as I can remember. I am now gluten free, and very healthy , but have severe osteoporosis. Too bad my sister who is a nutritionist had to be the one to suggest that Celiac may be my problem

#30 ( Mary ) Rating: ratingfull

I wonder if my daily reoccurring migraines are celiac disease? A lot of times I will trigger one after eating...I eat pretty carefully and have found that wheat and dairy definitely cause sinus trouble. Bloating and gas are a constant, aches and pains as well--I am 61.

#31 ( Stephanie) Rating: ratingfull

I have not been diagnosed, nor can I afford to see a doctor for diagnosis (even for, say, a sinus infection), however I suspect I am either gluten intolerant or have Celiac Disease. I'm 25. From about the the time I was, oh..13..lactose intolerance started to show up. As every year has passed I've become more and more severely lactose intolerant. More than an ounce of dairy and I am positively ILL. Diarrhea, cramps, bloating, heinous gas. It's terrible. (Even less than an ounce and I become gassy and my stools soften.) Five years ago I started to develop a migraine aura without headache. The reason I say, "I started to develop...," is because within a year and a half it became a constant issue. Today every moment of every single day there are spots are scintillating lights in my left eye. ONLY my left. Photos of my eyes, many visits with retinal specialists and ophthalmologists, an ERG and an MRI later and they still had no idea what was wrong with me. Particularly because it's not bilateral (both eyes). I went a year without any kind of checkups and just a couple of months ago my new Eye Dr. informed me I have macula damage that is not macular degeneration. WELL (here is where it becomes possibly relevant to CD), the mother of a good friend of mine has celiac and nearly went blind from it. As did her mother's brother. A gluten free diet has halted their vision problems. -For the past three years I suspected I suffer from IBS with constipation, because any time I am feeling stressed, anxious or even just excited (or am going to travel) I get sick for days. Weeks even, sometimes. But over the past six months or so I have been battling a constant cycle of constipation and diarrhea and/or loose stools (not quite diarrhea, but somewhere between normal and diarrhea). Heartburn after I eat almost anything. Constant gas (and I mean constant). I've started retaining fluids way more than seems normal. I have acute sinusitis, but haven't been able to afford the allergy testing to figure out what the likely culprits are. Although it was years ago, when I was 19, during a checkup to investigate my thinning hair (more than is normal), constant fatigue and strange heart rhythms it was discovered that I was borderline anemic. Even after taking supplements the problems never went away. It is a culmination of all of the above that has me convinced to start a gluten free diet. I'm having problems with what to eat for breakfast that is quick, and it's really frustrating, but I'm sure in due time I'll get it all figured out. I know this is long, but I wanted to bring up the possibility of vision problems in addition to all of the aforementioned symptoms.

#32 ( Louise Teasle) Rating: ratingfull

# 18 Please have your husband get tested for gluten intolerance. Celiac disease can be silent with no obvious symptoms. The blood test for Celiac can come back negative even if you have the disease.

#33 ( Sarah) Rating: ratingfull

I am 45, and was diagnosed with celiac disease at 8 yrs old, after being in and out of hospital for years. I stayed on the gluten free diet until I was 14 (puberty) when my symptoms began to disappear, and I was able to tolerate gluten. At 40, I began to experience gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, loose stools, alternated with constipation, and thanks to prei-menopause hot flashes and night sweats. Knowing that I had already been diagnosed with celiac disease, it was a simple matter of going back to the gluten free diet. I now enjoy a healthy body, and even my menopausal symptoms are far less severe than friends who consume gluten experience. I didn't know that celiacs often suffer from lower than usual body temperature. I suspect that all of my children are gluten intolerant as they all have this oddity, as well as complaining of lactose intolerance, my daughter has gone from a size 5 to a OO, but all refuse to accept a gluten free diet. My one son was tested, but because the test came back negative, they all laugh at me, and refuse to even try it. I have tried to tell them that false negatives are common, but what do I know? I'm just their Mom with celiac disease. I appreciate you having put this site out there, so that when they get fed up with the symptoms, they may independently research this. That way they don't have to hear I told you so. Thanks

#34 ( Melissa) Rating: ratingfull

My mom was just recently diagnosed with Celiac disease and I know it sounds weird, but it has almost been a godsend to me, because I inherit everything she has. I have Fibromayalgia, arthritis in my hands, terrible vision, diarrhea every single day, my whole body aches, I get severe migraines every other day, I am always bloated, I get heart palpitations, my stools seem oily, etc. And when I did some research, I found that I have pretty much all of the symptoms of Celiac. I'm just starting out on the gluten-free diet, but I am not sure if I should be tested for it, or if I should just try the diet and see if it works. I am under the impression that the only way they can know for sure is to do a biopsy of your bowels...if anyone has any info on that, please let me know! I am only 23 years old and my life is so stressful due to all of these problems. But I feel like I am finally starting to get somewhere. Thanks for all of the information!

#35 ( Stephanie) Rating: ratingfull

34 - The biopsy is a better test than a blood test, but still not perfect. The usual advise is to get your blood drawn for the test, and THEN start Gluten-Free. Hopefully the blood test will come up correctly and you'll have confirmation of your condition, but if the diet works for you, you know. Give the diet a month to work - some people's systems take a while to heal after years and years of damage, and it sounds like you've got a lot going on there. (celiac often accompanies or is misdiagnosed as FM) Seems like the list of symptoms given here is pretty incomplete. Constipation, weight gain, migraines, ADD... there are so many other symptoms that are common but don't fit the out-of-date definition of celiac that most doctors go by...

#36 ( Heather M) Rating: ratingfull

Very informative. I have all of these symptoms as well and all the doctors thought I was crazy too. They sent me to therapy! I've been gluten free for a month, but still have bad days. I'm being told 3-6 months to feel "normal" again.

#37 ( Eliezer ) Rating: ratingfull

I have suffered with heartburn since I was a little kid. Two years ago I sought a doctor's help for an annoying chest pain. All the tests proved nothing wrong with my heart but indicated that my blood sugar was little high. I also complained about my heartburn and a bloating sensation. He sent to a specialist meanwhile the blood test result came back which he told me to show to the specialist. I did some search and found your site....I'm gluten free and heartburn free! I did not go to the specialist yet but one thing is bothering me today--that bloating sensation came back with a severe diarrhea....I'm worried that this can be something more serious. Why didn't my doctor find out earlier?

#38 ( Ronnie) Rating: ratingfull

I've been diagnosed with everything listed here, just about. It's been suggested that I need to see a nice therapist. I finally figured out myself (at age 48) that if I don't eat wheat, my excema and heartburn clear up, and many other symptoms die down. (I was still eating other gluten-containing products, just no wheat bread or pasta.) With that added info, my doctor of 15 years told me that I'm celiac. She said: we can do the blood test; but, you have to eat enough gluten to become really sick before we can do it, and even if it comes back negative, it doesn't mean you're not. Then, the gold standard test is to do the biopsy. And then - if that comes back positive - then we know for sure. And then we'll tell you, don't eat gluten. But, she said, we can already tell you that now. So, you can do the tests if you really want to be sure ... I said no thanks, my symptoms are being clear and specific already. And the longer I'm off gluten - the more clear and specific they are when I eat some. (Like, WHACK!! DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!!) So, #34, try the diet. Be strict with it. If it works ... there turn out to be some people (who are not celiac, but have other tolerance issues) who cannot eat wheat, but can eat other related products such as spelt or farro. On the other hand, if the strict diet doesn't do anything to improve your issues - you have something else going on, but you've eliminated a hard-to-test for set from consideration.

#39 ( Darlene) Rating: ratingfull

I suffered with many of these symptoms for about 10 years before finally talking to my doctor. He sent me for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy, which turned out positive for Celiac Disease. The gluten-free diet certainly helps with the intestinal problems although I still have some really bad days with diarrhea. I am still fatigued all the time and I have continuously gained weight over the years. I wonder why all the articles indicate weight loss, and everyone I meet with celiac disease including gluten-free cooking classes are 'skinny' while I am so overweight. Diet and exercise have done nothing to reduce my weight. It is very depressing.

#40 ( Gina) Rating: ratingfull

very helpful

#41 ( Denise) Rating: ratingfull

My diagnosis came after years of being anemic even after taking 6 iron tabs daily. Other symptoms included loose stools, bloating, small blisters on my arms, occasional swelling of my hands, gums bleeding/inflammation but no stomach aches. I was diagnosed after a small bowel biopsy. Celiac disease, I learned, is an autoimmune disorder and often accompanies type 1 diabetes which I have had for years. If you do not follow the diet, malabsorption of nutrients will continue along with the potential for cancer to develop, so says my doctor. I have been eating gluten free for almost 2 years. It is an adjustment but you get use to the diet. My last biopsy this summer showed 100% recovery of my small intestine and past problems listed above completely gone. Worth the conscious effort!

#42 ( Felicia) Rating: ratingfull

Thank you so much for posting this information and hopefully helping many other people decide to get tested. My 6 year old daughter was on Mirilax prescribed by her doctor for 2 years because they thought she had Chron's disease after sending her for an x-ray. After visiting the doctors tons of times for her severe stomach aches after that, I finally said enough is enough. I insisted on getting her further testing. They finally sent her for blood work and found her celiac panel came back positive. She is still waiting to get a biopsy of her intestines to confirm, but I have given her gluten free foods for 4 days now and she is a totally different kid!!!!!! It's been expensive but good things are never cheap! She's worth every penny and more.

#43 ( Susan) Rating: ratingfull

Alopecia Areata, esp. the most severe forms--totalis and univeralis, have all been attributed in some cases to celiac disease, in fact, being the ONLY symptom. Alopecians have a higher rate of celiac disease than the general population. Weight loss is not nec. an indicator. Also, people with fair skin and red or strawberry hair are likely candidates, as well. I have alopecia, and I have a cousin who died of lymphoma before age 30. She and I are both fair-skinned redheads. I now believe she had undiagnosed celiac disease. Thanks, I just wanted to add my two cents...

#44 ( judith kefi) Rating: ratingfull

Very very informative and re-affirming, thanks.

#45 ( Connie) Rating: ratingfull

I have been having problems for mostly all of my life. Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, etc. I have been tested for Celiac Disease and am waiting for my results to come back. I have lost a fair amount of weight, and always feel like I want to vomit. I am hoping that I get to the bottom of this...as I can not take much more of this. Reading some of the other posts have opened my eyes as to see that I am not alone . Thank you

#46 ( Dar) Rating: ratingfull

Can someone please explain to me why a simple blood test was not done by my doctor? I explained all the symptoms that I had, but at the time I was unaware of celiac disease. You would think the doctor should be aware of the disease. I went through an upper and lower GI, to find out I'm fine. NOT...I was not imagining these symptoms. I figured it out on my own, thanks to articles and great people sharing their stories. Thank you to all of you! We need to get the doctors to test for this, it is a simple blood test. It will prevent unnecessary surgery that is happening.

#47 ( Mama ToYou) Rating: ratingfull

My son, 23 years old, self diagnosed that we both have celiac and he was right!!! Being Gluten free has change my life!

#48 ( mamamia) Rating: ratingfull

Gluten Free can be done but slowly!

#49 ( Linda Levine) Rating: ratingfull

Have you found any association with Hirschsprung's Disease? My daughter has Hirschsprung's and was doing fine until becoming miserable ever since going away to college and eating dorm food. We have an appointment with a new Gastroenterologist and will pursue the Celiac angle just to see.

#50 ( Melissa) Rating: ratingfull

I'm 19 and I think I might have this. I'm not sure though. My family cant afford to take me to the doctor, and I'm too afraid anyways. I get sick to my stomach A LOT! Everyday I feel like I have a stomach ache. I don't usually go to the bathroom for 4-5 days. I get diarrhea when I go, and the rest of the time I'm constipated. I cant go anywhere. I have to stay home because it hurts way to bad. I have felt like this for 2 years, and had no idea why. Everyone I know thinks its just in my head, and the only reason I feel like this is because I think about it too much. Or they think I want attention or I'm faking it. I'M NOT FAKING IT! I ordered a book on it. I read it and it helped me a lot and so did this article. I would love to know if I have it but I'm just way too scared, and the diet is too expensive.

#51 ( Megan) Rating: ratingfull

Thank you...thank you...thank you! I have been suffering for over 4 years with chronic diarrhea, bloating, cramps, fatigue and body aches. I had been treated with antibiotics for the last 4 years for bacterial infections which I obviously did not have. Thank you for sharing and educating people about celiac disease. The more we know....the better we are!

#52 ( Caitlin) Rating: ratingfull

I'm 20 and I've had stomach problems since 5th grade. I was pretty friendly in grade school, but just quiet and tired since then. Everyone said I was nervous and didn't eat enough. When I was 15 my friend told me she was lactose intolerant -- avoiding lactose helped me some, but not a ton. My junior year of high school I went from 135lbs to 120 in two months for no apparent reason, and things only went downhill from there. This winter the stomach problems got so bad, I found myself curled up on the floor crying, thinking that I was going to die soon from organ failure or starvation. I went to the doctor, they said “maybe celiac disease,” and gave me a packet on it. The only symptom I didn’t have on the list was stunted growth – although I come from a tall family – I’m short comparatively. I’ve been on the gluten-free diet for a little while and I feel AMAZING. If a college student whose cooking repertoire previously consisted of toaster waffles and instant pudding can go gluten-free, so can you!

#53 ( Katie) Rating: ratingfull

#54 ( Susan Kelly) Rating: ratingfull

I have most of the symptoms that are mentioned. I was checked for celiac disease, the doctor said I was all clear. But because the symptoms carried on I decided to stop eating Gluten in my diet I did this for a month, the symptoms stopped and the added bonus was I lost a stone. Then we had a Crisis in the family and I was away for a week, I didn't want to add to the stress so I ate what I was given. Well the symptoms were back in 2 days. I think the doctor must be wrong, but don't want to keep bothering him.

#55 ( Darlene Sarvis) Rating: ratingfull

Excellent statements. Isn't it a shame that our doctors don't give us the celiac blood test after we go in with numerous problems? I am new to this Web site and hopefully, I'll find some ideas on what to eat, how to fix, where to buy something that tastes half way decent! I am allergic to dairy, soy, eggs, etc. Never knew this until I took a food allergy test! Going back soon and have a retest and ask for the Celiac blood test too! Thanks to everyone......all this helps!

#56 ( CONFUSED) Rating: ratingfull

OK - after 4-5 days in the hospital for "colitis" - very bloody stools and extreme pain. My doctor finally does a celiac test and it comes back negative! I definitely have a lot of the symptoms, especially the aches and pains, problem stools, low energy, etc etc. Could I still have the disease even though the blood test came back normal? If not, the doctors, nor I really know what is going on. This is so frustrating!

#57 ( Michelle) Rating: ratingfull

I am still surprised how hard it is to find information about celiac disease. I have friends, co-workers, students, and family members who have symptoms of or have been diagnosed with celiac. I am hoping to become more informed so that I don't add to their issues by giving them something to eat that they shouldn't have. I also am finding that the more information I read, the more people I know with symptoms. I have struggled for years with certain problems and, even with some education on celiac disease, I never assumed that I too could have a gluten intolerance or allergy. I am going to be a lot more conscious of what I eat and expose myself to and see if my symptoms go away. I appreciate sites like this one that give the public a chance to share their voice. The information here is very helpful and the comments from others are a real eye-opener! Thanks!

#58 ( Cindy T) Rating: ratingfull

My friend is gluten free, after hearing her story I looked into it and started my gluten free diet, within a week I was feeling better, I've been down (ill) for 4 years barley participating in life, wish I had seen this sight years ago! Would be nice to see this on Nightly News!

#59 ( lucy mayer) Rating: ratingfull

Brilliant article, I have all the symptoms and am going for a test on Monday! Hopefully a start of better things to come! Thank you.

#60 ( Becky B) Rating: ratingfull

I was diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis 10 years ago and ignored it. I continued to eat gluten until my mother was recently diagnosed with celiac. I have also been tested and await the results. Regardless. after reading these articles, I vow to be gluten free for life! Thanks for the info.

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Celiac Disease and Gluten-free Diet Information Since 1995

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Scott Adams

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Malabsorption, Malnutrition, Vitamin and/or Mineral Deficiencies Associated with Celiac Disease:

Conditions and Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease:

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