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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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- RMJ replied to Dora77's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease1
Is this safe for someone with celiac disease?
I am also asymptomatic. Not everyone with celiac disease reacts the same way to the same amount of gluten, so it is impossible to say for you whether or not such small traces of gluten would be safe. I am tested for tTG-IgA and DGP IgA and IgG annually. My DGP IgA went up once when I was using a certain brand of supposedly gluten free flour, it went... -
- trents replied to DayaInTheSun's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease2
Being a burden to family/friends
Let me "ditto" Cristiana's welcome to the forum, @DayaInTheSun! Many in this online family can identify with your struggle. With all of your food sensitivity/intolerance issues you probably should research MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and consider a low histamine diet. -
- trents replied to ABP2025's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms3
Guidance on next steps after the lab tests
Most recent guidelines recommend at least 10g of gluten daily for at least 2 weeks daily leading up to the day of the test. 10g of gluten is roughly the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread. Personally, to be sure you will produce valid test results I would extend the "gluten trial" period from two weeks to four weeks. -
- Celiacmanbill replied to TheDHhurts's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications3
Mushrooms - are they safe for celiacs?
the magic ones are often not grown on a gluten free grain but as for others I've only ever seen Maitake and one other type grown on a gluten grain -
- cristiana replied to DayaInTheSun's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease2
Being a burden to family/friends
Hi @DayaInTheSun Welcome to the forum! I've been a Mod on this forum for some years now and your feelings are shared by many of us. I am not sure how long you have been diagnosed, but in my own case I do find that time has helped. It was pretty exhausting at first trying to explain to friends but they now have a pretty good grasp of coeliac...
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