About Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a serious autoimmune disorder. When a person with CD eats gluten, (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) it triggers an immune response that attacks the small intestine’s lining. The damage from this attack can be severe, especially over time.

I think it’s crazy that CD has more than 200 confirmed symptoms! Some people, don’t even have symptoms. Most symptoms can usually be attributed to something else. When you read this list below, you’ll see why it sometimes takes years to get diagnosed.

Based on the extreme damage found during my endoscopy, I’ve likely had CD my entire adult life, and probably during my childhood as well. I was sometimes constipated as a child despite eating a well-rounded and healthy diet growing up. I’ve had dysmenorrhea since my first menstrual period. I’ve had low iron since I was first tested at age 18. Why would someone think to test me for celiac disease based on those symptoms?

But as years went on, I started to have more and more symptoms. Mood swings, fatigue, seasonal allergies, skin problems, and then the bladder pain started. Since I didn’t have any of the classic symptoms, CD was on nobody’s radar.

There is no cure or medication for celiac disease. The only treatment is to adhere to a strict and life-long gluten-free diet. No cheat days, ever!!! It’s possible to heal the intestinal damage over time, unless you have refractory celiac disease.

Common Gastrointestinal Symptoms (Classic)

• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal bloating and gas
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stools (steatorrhea)
• Lactose intolerance (often temporary) 

Common Non-Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Nutritional Deficiencies/Anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia, low B12, or folic acid deficiencies
• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Bone/Joint: Joint pain, osteoporosis, osteopenia, frequent fractures

Neurological and Brain-Related Symptoms 

• Gluten Ataxia: A rare neurological condition where gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the cerebellum, leading to problems with coordination, balance, and speech.
• Seizures/Epilepsy: Particularly in children, specifically associated with cerebral calcifications.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the hands and feet.
• Dementia-like symptoms: Cognitive decline or “brain fog”.
• Mental: “Brain fog,” depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings
• Multifocal Leucoencephalopathy: A rare white matter disease. 

Dermatological (Skin) and Oral Symptoms

• Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH): While recognized as the “celiac rash,” it is often considered a rare or, at least, less common presentation (about 10-15% of patients). It is intensely itchy, blistering, and usually appears on elbows, knees, or buttocks.
• Alopecia Areata: Sudden, patchy hair loss.
• Severe Dental Enamel Defects: Permanent damage, discoloration (white, yellow, or brown spots), or pitting in permanent teeth, especially in children.
• Atrophic Glossitis: A smooth, shiny, red, and painful tongue. 
• Dental/Oral: Damage to tooth enamel, discoloration, canker sores, dry mouth, atrophic glossitis (smooth, shiny, red, and painful tongue. )

Reproductive and Hormonal Symptoms

• Infertility: Unexplained infertility in both men and women.
• Recurrent Miscarriages: Repeated, unexplained pregnancy loss.
• Amenorrhea/Delayed Puberty: Extremely delayed menstruation or no menstruation in women, and delayed puberty in children.
• Dysmenorrhea: Extremely painful periods.
• Metabolic: Unexplained weight loss or gain

Musculoskeletal and Structural Symptoms

• Osteomalacia: Softening of the bones, distinct from osteoporosis.
• Muscle Myopathy: Weakness and wasting of muscles.
• Short Stature: In children, this may be the only symptom, often accompanied by failure to thrive. 

Other Rare or Systemic Manifestations

• Hyposplenism: Reduced functioning of the spleen.
• Coeliac Hepatitis/Liver Issues: Elevated liver enzymes (transaminases) without other causes.
• Pericardial Effusion: Fluid accumulation around the heart.
• Lane-Hamilton Syndrome: A combination of pulmonary hemosiderosis (bleeding in the lungs) and celiac disease.
• Kidney Stones: Due to excessive oxalate absorption (hyperoxaluria). 
• Interstitial Cystitis: Bladder/urethra pain, increased urgency or frequency.
• Secondary food intolerances or allergies: Soy, eggs, dairy, fructose malabsorption, histamine, salicylates, tyramine, oxalates, environmental allergies, eczema.
• Asthma