Symptoms of Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation (2024)

Symptoms of Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation (1)

Some people with celiac disease have no symptoms at all, but still test positive on the celiac disease blood test. Others may have a negative blood test, but have a positive intestinal biopsy. However, all people with celiac disease are at risk for long-term complications, whether or not they display any symptoms.

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Classical, Non-classical, and Silent Celiac Disease

According to the World Gastroenterology Organization, celiac disease may be divided into two types: classical and non-classical.

In classical celiac disease, patients have signs and symptoms of malabsorption, including diarrhea, steatorrhea (pale, foul-smelling, fatty stools), and weight loss or growth failure in children.

In non-classical celiac disease, patients may have mild gastrointestinal symptoms without clear signs of malabsorption or may have seemingly unrelated symptoms. They may suffer from abdominal distention and pain, and/or other symptoms such as: iron-deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue, chronic migraine, peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, or pain in hands or feet), unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia (elevated liver enzymes), reduced bone mass and bone fractures, and vitamin deficiency (folic acid and B12), difficulty losing weight, late menarche/early menopause and unexplained infertility, dental enamel defects, depression and anxiety, dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy skin rash), etc.

First-degree relatives should always be screened, since there is a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.

Silent celiac disease is also known as asymptomatic celiac disease. Patients do not complain of any symptoms, but still experience villous atrophy damage to their small intestine. Studies show that even though patients thought they had no symptoms, after going on a strict gluten-free diet, they report better health and a reduction in acid reflux, abdominal bloating, and distention and flatulence.

First-degree relatives, whether or not experiencing symptoms, should always be screened, since there is a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease. Second-degree relatives also have an increased risk of developing the disease.

The number of ways celiac disease can affect patients, combined with a lack of training in medical schools and primary care residency programs, contributes to the poor diagnosis rate in the United States. Currently, it is estimated that 80% of the celiac disease population remains undiagnosed.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation (2024)

FAQs

Symptoms of Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation? ›

A total of 828 patients (8.3%) died, with few deaths before the age of 40 years, more than half after the age of 60 years, and an average age at death of 68.6 years. Overall, mortality risk was 2-fold increased in patients with celiac disease compared with that in the general Swedish population (Table 1).

What is the average life expectancy of someone with celiac disease? ›

A total of 828 patients (8.3%) died, with few deaths before the age of 40 years, more than half after the age of 60 years, and an average age at death of 68.6 years. Overall, mortality risk was 2-fold increased in patients with celiac disease compared with that in the general Swedish population (Table 1).

Can you eat eggs if you have celiac disease? ›

Meats and eggs are naturally gluten-free and are safe to consume in their natural form, regardless of whether the source animal consumed gluten-containing grain. Gluten should not be present in properly handled meats. Processed meats such as deli meats could contain gluten, but it is not typical for gluten to be added.

What happens if celiac disease is left untreated? ›

Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious long-term health problems such as other autoimmune disorders, early onset osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, nervous system disorders, intestinal cancer and gall bladder malfunction.

What do celiac stools look like? ›

Diarrhea caused by celiac disease is due to the maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients. The stools might be watery or semiformed, light tan or gray, and oily or frothy. The stools have a characteristic foul odor.

What can mimic celiac symptoms? ›

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.

What triggers celiac disease later in life? ›

People who develop celiac disease later in life can have eaten gluten for many years without having a negative reaction. Studies suggest that a shift could be caused by the body reaching its breaking point after a lifetime of eating gluten. Stress and other environmental conditions may also be a part of the change.

Does celiac disease get worse with age? ›

The risk of autoimmune disorders and cancers particularly increase in older celiac patients and is shown to be associated with both the age and the duration of gluten exposure.

Does celiac get progressively worse? ›

Over time, a range of problems may develop as a result of the body's reaction to gluten — from skin rashes and lactose intolerance to infertility, bone weakness and nerve damage. These can often happen even in the absence of digestive symptoms.

Is coffee bad for celiacs? ›

Plain coffee from freshly roasted beans is 100% gluten-free. In many cases, store-bought coffee grounds are as well, though there's always some potential for cross-contamination. What you really need to keep an eye on are coffee additives and flavored coffees. Powdered coffee creamer, for example, may contain gluten.

What 3 foods should someone with celiac disease avoid? ›

A gluten-free diet generally means not eating most grains, pasta, cereals, and processed foods. The reason is that they usually contain wheat, rye, and barley.

Are bananas good for celiac disease? ›

If you have Celiac disease, you can eat bananas. But it's following a gluten-free diet that's going to protect your health and prevent gastrointestinal issues and potentially serious health problems.

What are the hidden symptoms of celiac disease? ›

However, celiac disease is much more than a digestive problem. Some of the top atypical symptoms are anemia, bones disease, elevated liver enzymes, neurological problems like migraines, short stature and reproductive problems. Learn more about each on below.

What does a celiac belly look like? ›

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.

How bad can celiac disease make you feel? ›

The intestinal damage often causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating or anemia. It also can lead to serious complications if it is not managed or treated. In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms.

What is one of the first signs of a systemic illness such as celiac disease? ›

Some people don't notice any symptoms at all. Some experience indigestion and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after eating gluten. Some only have vague symptoms of nutritional deficiencies later on, when real damage has been done. In these people, symptoms of anemia may be the first to present.

What does your stomach look like when you have celiac disease? ›

Symptoms of celiac disease include: Gas, a swollen belly, and bloating. This happens because the small intestine can't absorb nutrients from food. You may also have mild stomach pain, but it usually isn't severe.

What are the 5 stages of celiac disease? ›

Celiac disease is clinically defined as classic, non-classic, subclinical, potential, and refractory.

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