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What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (aka coeliac disease) is a genetic autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine's lining. This damage leads to inflammation and atrophy of the villi, tiny finger-like projections in the intestine responsible for nutrient absorption. As a result, individuals with celiac disease may experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and malnutrition. Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to more severe health problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, weight loss, and increased risk of certain cancers. A strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer...[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
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Recent Activity
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- sh00148 replied to marip's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms4
Could this be celiac?
Just to update you all, my daughter had her appointment and I was thoroughly impressed and satisfied. Her coeliac results were the highest possible so she only needs a further blood test, which they did there and then to confirm there’s been no lab mix up. The doctor was convinced that the constipation was a result of the coeliac and felt that she m... -
- Russ H replied to Pua's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Pretty desperate for some guidance
Note also that the amount of problematic protein (gliadin) that is found in breast milk of women having a normal gluten containing diet varies but is very small. Although the study referenced below says 'very high', the amounts detected vary between undetectable and a maximum of 1.2 parts per million. Breast milk is considered safe for infants with coeliac... -
- trents replied to Pua's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Pretty desperate for some guidance
Welcome to the forum, @Pua! Yes, many, many forum participants have been in this same boat. That is, suspecting celiac disease and testing the waters by going gluten free but then realizing they undermined the ability to bet tested for it by doing so. It's a very common mistake??? but a completely understandable decision making sequence. The symptoms... -
- Scott Adams replied to Pua's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Pretty desperate for some guidance
Aloha! It sounds like you've been through so much with your own health and now your son's too—I completely understand why you're questioning celiac for all of you. Your symptoms and family history really do line up with what many experience with celiac disease. It’s common for it to be missed by doctors who end up treating the symptoms separately, as you... -
- Scott Adams replied to MomofGF's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Not sure if this is Celiac or just a gluten-free intolerance
I just want to add that many celiacs do not have any obvious symptoms, but still have the same health risks if they continue to eat gluten. Unless all of her first-degree relatives, including yourself, are screened for celiac disease, there is not way to be sure that other relatives don't also have it (some studies have shown that up to 44% of first degree...
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