Gluten Intolerance: Symptoms, Test, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (2024)

FAQs

Gluten Intolerance: Symptoms, Test, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity? ›

There is no test to check for Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity; it is diagnosed by a doctor who considers the signs and symptoms, negative celiac disease testing, and improvement after a gluten-free diet.

Currently, there is no test for gluten sensitivity. People with digestive symptoms that suggest celiac disease should see a gastroenterologist to determine their risk for either celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing foods in the absence of celiac disease and wheat allergy.

There's no question that gluten can affect your neurological system: people with both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity report symptoms that range from headaches and brain fog to peripheral neuropathy (tingling in your extremities).

Absence of reliable biomarkers and the fact that some people do not have digestive symptoms make the recognition and diagnosis of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) difficult. Diagnosis is generally performed only by exclusion criteria.

The symptoms of gluten intolerance may also resemble those of a wheat allergy or intestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Experts estimate that 10–15% of adults in the U.S. have IBS symptoms.

If you're planning to try a temporary elimination diet to identify your sensitivities, consider taking the Everlywell at-home Food Sensitivity Test. This test checks your IgG antibody reactivity levels to 96 common food proteins—including gluten.

NCGS has an immune-related background. Indeed there is a strong evidence that a selective activation of innate immunity may be the trigger for NCGS inflammatory response. The most commonly autoimmune disorders associated to NCGS are Hashimoto thyroiditis, dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis and rheumatologic diseases.

Signs and symptoms of NCGS

Bloating or gas. Nausea. Cramping. Diarrhea and/or constipation.

What is gluten ataxia? ›

gluten ataxia – autoimmune disorder whereby gluten ingestion damages the cerebellum, which controls gait and muscle coordination, and fine control of voluntary movements is compromised.

There's no cure for gluten intolerance. But most people find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. You should work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to plan your diet. You can also ask your healthcare provider about adding probiotics to your diet.

FAQs about gluten intolerance symptoms

The intestines make up most of the middle and lower abdomen, so “gluten belly” will look like any other type of lower digestive tract bloating. However, if bloating seems to be a regular or constant problem, that's a possible sign that it may be due to gluten intolerance.

Fatigue: Tiredness and lack of energy are another symptom of gluten intolerance. People with this condition may feel lethargic, even after getting enough sleep. This type of fatigue can make you unable to function as normal during the day.

In some cases, nerve pain may be the only symptom of gluten sensitivity. The type of nerve pain felt by many people with gluten sensitivity is called gluten neuropathy. There are many forms of neuropathy, and the most common type experienced by those with gluten sensitivity is known as peripheral axonal neuropathy.

IBS and celiac disease can have very similar symptoms. Both cause symptoms like gastrointestinal upset, bloating, and gas. Because celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, however, people with celiac may also have whole-body symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and anemia.

Celiac disease is most commonly confused with gluten intolerance. As Shakespeare might say, “What's in a name?” Well, it turns out that they are two very different things. So, let's go over a few things and see why it is important to differentiate between the two.

After starting a gluten-free diet, 6.2% of the patients who had not had diarrhea before the diagnosis of celiac disease experienced diarrhea. Constipation occurred in 18.6%; in many cases, it responded to a subsequent increase in fiber intake.

Untreated celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), and many other conditions, including dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, ...

Does gluten intolerance show up in blood work? ›

Serology testing looks for antibodies in your blood. Elevated levels of certain antibody proteins indicate an immune reaction to gluten. Genetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) can be used to rule out celiac disease.

Keep in mind that going gluten-free before being tested for celiac disease can prevent diagnosis. However, people who have already adopted the gluten-free diet without having been tested for celiac disease can undergo a”gluten challenge” in order to receive accurate test results.

While it is very rare, it is possible for someone with celiac disease to have negative antibody test results. If your tests were negative, but you continue to experience symptoms, consult your physician and undergo further medical evaluation.

An IgE antibody test and skin prick test may be used to determine whether a patient is allergic to wheat.