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Celiac.com - Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Support Since 1995
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (aka coeliac disease) is a genetic autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine's lining. This damage leads to inflammation and atrophy of the villi, tiny finger-like projections in the intestine responsible for nutrient absorption. As a result, individuals with celiac disease may experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and malnutrition. Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to more severe health problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, weight loss, and increased risk of certain cancers. A strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer...[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
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Recent Activity
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- trents replied to kim-d's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Postponing seeking a diagnosis?
Although the gluten challenge guidelines suggest at least two weeks of at least 10g of gluten daily, I would go for 4 weeks to make sure - if you can tolerate it, that is. When you go in for the blood draw, make sure to ask your physician to order not only the tTG-IGA test but the total IGA test. The tTG-IGA test result cannot be trusted if you are IGA... -
- trents replied to jjiillee's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms18
Daughter waiting for appointment
She carries one of the two primary genes that indicate the potential to develop celiac disease. About 40% of the general population carries one or both of these genes but only about 1% of the general population develops celiac disease. So, the gene test cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease but it can be used as a rule out measure. Having either one of... -
- kim-d replied to kim-d's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Postponing seeking a diagnosis?
Thanks, @trents. That was what I was thinking of as well, but I'm a huge worrier and keep doubting if it was right thing to do so it seemed better to ask more experienced people. My diet won't be 100% gluten free unfortunately, but I'm thinking of using it as an opportunity to keep a food log and try to see what makes things worse. -
- jjiillee replied to jjiillee's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms18
Daughter waiting for appointment
Her Dr gave her meds for the ulcers and recommend the genetic blood test to rule out celiac. Got those results and the hla-dq2 is positive the hla-dq8 is negative. So I’m not sure what this all means. Waiting to hear from the Dr again. She has been eating gluten and did say she got bad stomach pain again the other day but it hasn’t happened in a few weeks so ... -
- Soleihey replied to Soleihey's topic in Related Issues & Disorders2
Gluten Ataxia and Malabsorption
I have been on supplementation for almost 11 months with no deficiencies showing up on blood work. So was just hoping to hear someone else’s story where it took longer to heal.
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