Is Celiac Disease Very Serious?

It is a common misconception that consuming a small amount of gluten does not do much harm when it comes to celiac disease. Even a small amount of gluten can cause celiac disease symptoms and raise your risk of the following problems:

Malabsorption

Celiac disease can hinder your ability to fully absorb nutrients, which can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies:

• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Anemia due to vitamin B12 and folate deficiency
• Osteoporosis (a condition that causes brittle and weak bones)

Malnutrition

Because celiac disease makes the digestive system less effective, it can sometimes result in malnutrition, which impairs your body's ability to function normally and heal from injuries and infections.

Severe malnutrition can lead to:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Low body temperature
• Muscle deterioration
• Stunted growth and development in children

Lactose intolerance

If you have celiac disease, you have a higher risk of developing lactose intolerance since your body lacks the enzyme needed to break down the milk sugars (lactose) found in dairy products. Bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort are symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Lactose does not damage your body the way gluten does in celiac disease. However, because you cannot effectively digest lactose, you may have gut-related discomfort after eating dairy products.

Dairy products are an important source of calcium, so you will need to make up for not eating dairy by taking calcium supplements.

Pregnancy complications

Poorly managed celiac disease during pregnancy increases the chance of experiencing pregnancy-related complications such as low birth weight infants.

Cancer

Celiac disease slightly increases your risk of certain cancers. Associated cancers include small bowel cancer, small bowel lymphoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Your risk of developing these cancers is the same as the general population if you have been gluten-free for 3-5 years.

Symptoms of celiac disease include:

• Digestive problems (abdominal bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea, pale stools, and weight loss)
• Severe, blistering skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
• Mouth sores (aphthous ulcers)
• Unexplained anemia (low blood count) 
• Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Musculoskeletal issues (muscle spasms, joint pain, and bone pain)
• Dental problems
• Growth issues in children
• Tingling sensation in the legs (caused by nerve damage and low calcium levels)
• Depression

Tests used to diagnose celiac disease include the following:

Antibody blood tests

An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system to combat diseases or disease-causing organisms. However, in those with celiac disease, the immune system misinterprets gluten as detrimental to the body and secretes specific antibodies to attack it. These antibodies include:

• Antitissue transglutaminase
• Antiendomysium
• Antideamidated gliadin peptides

A diagnosis of celiac disease can be made by measuring the blood levels of these antibodies. However, because blood tests can produce inaccurate results, they are not enough to make a definitive diagnosis.

Endoscopic biopsy

A biopsy of the small intestine is the only way to determine whether you have celiac disease and rule out gluten sensitivity or a wheat allergy. 

During this procedure, a long, thin tube called an endoscope is inserted through the mouth and stomach and into the upper small intestine to collect tissue samples from 5-6 locations. These tissue samples are inspected under a microscope to identify any damage to the intestinal villi.

Blood tests can help confirm celiac disease by identifying certain markers. 

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) symptoms may include brain fog, nausea, vomiting, migraines, diarrhea, joint pain, and abdominal pain. However, NCGS does not damage the gut and there are no identifiable blood markers. 

To diagnose NCGS, your doctor may advise following a gluten-free diet. If your symptoms go away, you may have NCGS.

Celiac disease does not yet have a cure, but your doctor can help you effectively manage the condition. It is crucial to avoid gluten-containing foods such as:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Beer