Does Celiac Diagnosis Take Longer in People Without Gastrointestinal Symptoms?

My first diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis

Then my adrenal glands failed

They found Collegenic Colitis that gave a Celiac's diagnosis.

i NEVER had a gut symptom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never been tested for Celiac but I was having consistent back, knee and wrist pains for decades that all went away and never returned once I went gluten-free about 6 years ago. Also less headaches, a lot less advil and less anxiety. 

I am 62 and was first tested 2 years ago. I am positive for antibodies, GI bx changes and one genetic marker. No GI symptoms-possibly because I tend to follow a lower carb diet/minimal foods with gluten. HOWEVER, I have had periodontal disease since my 30's. I am also Hypothyroid. 

After 8+ years of pain, mood disorders, and peripheral neuropathy  (along with hypothyroidism) I eventually received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. It took me doing a food elimination diet at the recommendation of a coworker to discover that my symptoms went away after going gluten free. Only then did my primary care doc refer me to a GE who had me do a gluten challenge and both my biopsy and blood-work confirmed celiac. People definitely need to be more aware of the range of symptoms. I already have complications due to untreated celiac (hopefully they will heal eventually) and I still get people telling me I can't have celiac because I'm normal weight.

I am still waiting for a diagnosis six years later. I'm absolutely sure I have dermatitis herpetiformis and twice now I have been told I have flea bites by dermatologists who have taken biopsies (incorrectly) of the lesions. I refuse to go back on gluten to get a small intestine biopsy. There doesn't seem to be any other option yet. The DH biopsy is very specialized and no one in my area seems to know how to do them exactly right. 

Couldn't  agree more. My husband was 6 years trying to get doctors to listen to his symptoms finally celiac was found through bloodwork from a biodentical hormone doctor, antibody testing then biopsy to confirm. He went gluten free and starch free has been good ever since.  It took about 4 yrs before he really started to feel good again. Even started to grow back his bone mass with the help of a natroupath and I V therapies  and peptide injections he took for 2 months.  Going gluten free was just the start of his recovery without other treatments he would not be were he is today. Gluten does so much damage to the body when not found early. Doctors really need to pay much more attention to this issue because gluten damage can effect some many areas of the body not just stomach and bowel.  Brain function is effected but this usually is overlooked too.  So many things are overlooked in this issue it's no wonder people have such a hard time being diagnosed.  I really think with all that I've read and seen with my husband and his journey that this should be a standard blood test for everyone. I am gluten free now because of my knowledge of this disease and what it has put my husband through. I feel so much better health wise you couldn't pay me to put another drop of it in my mouth!