How Do You Know if You Have Celiac Disease?

For the 2 million Americans living with celiac disease, the journey to diagnosis is rarely a quick one. The symptoms of celiac disease can mimic other digestive conditions, making it difficult to recognize the signs. What’s more, testing for celiac disease isn’t always straightforward.

Rest assured that the skilled gastroenterologists at Stoneleigh Medical Group are trained to evaluate and diagnose diseases and conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. If you suspect that you have celiac disease, knowing the symptoms can point you in the right direction. If the information in this article sounds familiar, discuss it with one of our specialists.

Celiac disease overview

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune digestive disease that occurs when the immune system mistakes gluten -- a common protein found in wheat, rye, and barley -- for a foreign substance and attacks the lining of the small intestine as a result. Adhering to a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease.

There’s a strong genetic component to celiac disease. If you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has celiac disease, your chances of having it are higher. If your visit to Stoneleigh Medical Group results in a diagnosis of celiac disease, it’s recommended that your first-degree relatives undergo screening as well.

Potential complications of celiac disease

The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like protrusions called villi that absorb nutrients from the food you eat. When we view the villi of someone with active celiac disease, the villi appears damaged and shorter than normal. This prevents the body from absorbing adequate nutrients from the diet. Left untreated, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Additionally, untreated celiac disease raises the risk of developing small bowel cancers and other autoimmune disorders.

Symptoms of celiac disease

If you think you or a loved one has celiac disease, it’s wise to review the symptoms. It’s important to know that celiac affects people differently, and may affect the digestive system or other parts of the body. Some people develop celiac disease during childhood, but it’s also possible to develop celiac disease as an adult.

There are more than 200 known symptoms of celiac disease. Of the known symptoms, the following are most common:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Unexplained fatigue

Children with celiac disease may become irritable or display behavioral issues. They may have problems concentrating and may experience delayed growth.

Silent celiac

Not everyone with celiac experiences apparent symptoms. People with asymptomatic, or silent celiac may not realize there's a problem. However, even in the absence of symptoms, celiac disease silently damages the small intestine and requires treatment with a gluten-free diet.

Non-classical celiac disease

People with non-classical celiac disease lack the typical digestive symptoms but may have seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as an itchy rash, migraine headaches, problems losing weight, and unexplained elevated liver enzymes.

Diagnosing celiac disease

Blood tests that look for specific antibodies are often the first step on the journey to a celiac disease diagnosis. However, it’s possible to have a negative antibody test and still have celiac disease. 

In situations where there is high suspicion, but antibody tests are negative, your doctor may order an intestinal biopsy to look for characteristic damage to the small intestine. An intestinal biopsy is the definitive way to diagnose celiac disease. 

The team at Stoneleigh Medical Group has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide array of conditions related to the digestive system. For a comprehensive evaluation, call to schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists. You can also request an appointment using the online booking tool.