Latent Celiac Disease Afflicts Many Who Tolerate Gluten

Having a granddaughter diagnosed as a 3 year old, now 23, and doing extremely well, I am pleased that so much is being done in this area. Being on a gluten-free diet since 3, has not inhibited her from any activities in life, including rock climbing, etc.

I am 57 and onset of symptoms at 52. There are several friends diagnosed after 50. Thanks for the news. Barbara

A very concise explanation of the differences between latent and silent celiac disease, and why they both must adhere to the gluten-free diet.

Much better than a couple of previous articles I read. I am 65 and did not display celiac symptoms until I was 63.

As a person with so-called 'silent celiac disease', diagnosed at age 40 after my son's diagnosis, readers need to keep in mind that what seems to be 'silent' may be quite pronounced, in comparison to how one can feel when on the gluten free diet. Clear thinking, much higher energy level, and less anxiety are just a few of the gluten free diet's benefits awaiting those with 'silent celiac disease'.

Excellent article. Though not diagnosed until age 47, but I am pretty sure it was a problem all of my life. Didn't get diagnosed until chronic symptoms. Major wasting due to no absorption of nutrients.

I am 61 and have had dermatitis herpetaformis for over 22 years, but was never told anything about celiac disease. I tried a gluten-free diet in the middle 80s' but had to little information to go on. I have had problems since age 6 months that have significantly improved or totally cleared up since I have been gluten-free. To name a few, Upper respiratory infections 100s of times, digestive problems including stomach surgery (Atrophied duodenum and ulcers disease) anxiety, swelling on legs and ankles, dermatitis herpetaformis, peripheral neuropathy, pernicious anemia, and several others.

So I agree with a previous post that said that after beginning a gluten-free diet one may find a lot of things are better. For me, feeling so much better is what makes it worth all the expense and hard ship involved with the diet. I almost died before I found out what it was. Thanks to the Harvard Medical School's, Beth Israel Hospital, School of Dermatology's web site, I found that dermatitis herpetaformis is a positive diagnosis for celiac disease.

Thanks for a good article,

David Lapham Sr

I have a brother who was diagnosed with celiac as a child and tends to eat now a diet very high in meat and potatoes...little bread, but certainly not gluten-free. He had ITP, though. It could be related.

Diagnosed for 2 years but had celiac problems for so long am still not healed...information is good...has been a big help to me.

Thanks

I have been diagnosed for about 3.5 years now, but I'm sure that I had it well over 30 years before then. By chance I was just talking with a doctor at work after eating a healthy serving of waffles--one of my favorite meals. He made a bet with me that I had celiac--I said no, it was from my stomach surgery 35 years before. He ran some tests Glanin IGG normal was <11 High was 27-30, mine was 97mg/dl. I have been on the diet since June 2005 and with in a few weeks felt so much better, I wouldn't want to go back. But it is hard to go out with friends and family to eat.

I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue 30 years ago at the age of 13 months by biopsy and they said it was a classic case. In March of 2007, 29 years later at the age of 30, after a negative biopsy blood tests were done to confirm and they were negative as well for Celiac Sprue. I questioned the Gastroenterologist as to what is was 30 years prior and I didn't receive any answers. To this day I still have to question if the tests 30 years ago were wrong or not. I have introduce regular foods into my diet and haven't noticed that I feel any different. I include whole grain foods into my diet 1-2 times a day and have been doing fine. After reading this article I hope that the tests so long ago really were wrong as I do not want to be hurting my body and not know it. Could test results come back negative for Celiac when it really is 'Silent or Laten' celiac.

Thank you for the info. Many people think that I am lying when I discuss these issues of more than the typical 'fat-bellied malnourished child with chronic diarrhea'...