🧬 Not sure where to start? Try searching for your diagnosis above or visit the “Diseases” section.
tTG-IgA (tissue transglutaminase) – most common screening test
EMA-IgA (anti-endomysial antibodies)
DGP antibodies (deamidated gliadin peptides – sometimes used in children)
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where eating foods with gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—causes the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. This damages the gut and makes it harder to absorb nutrients from food.
It’s not a food allergy or a fad diet—it’s a serious, lifelong condition that requires a strict gluten-free diet to stay healthy.
Diarrhea, constipation, or oily stools
Bloating and gas
Stomach pain or cramping
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue
Iron-deficiency anemia
Weight loss or poor growth in children
Bone or joint pain
Headaches or brain fog
Itchy skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
Infertility or menstrual irregularities
Depression or anxiety
Some people have no obvious symptoms, but still suffer internal damage.
Celiac disease is caused by a mix of genetics and environment.
It happens when people with certain genes (HLA-DQ2 or DQ8) eat gluten.
The immune system reacts to gluten by damaging the villi, the tiny finger-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients.
It can be triggered at any age, often after stress, surgery, pregnancy, or infection.
Diagnosis usually includes:
Blood tests to check for specific antibodies (like tTG-IgA)
Endoscopy and biopsy of the small intestine to look for damage
Important: Don’t stop eating gluten before testing, or the results may not be accurate
There is no cure, but the treatment is simple:
Strict, lifelong gluten-free diet (no wheat, barley, or rye)
This allows the intestine to heal and symptoms to improve
Avoiding cross-contact is important (even small crumbs can cause damage)
Some people may also need supplements for iron, calcium, vitamin D, or B12
With a gluten-free diet, most people feel better within weeks to months
The intestinal lining usually heals over time
Without treatment, celiac can lead to serious complications like:
Malnutrition
Osteoporosis
Infertility
Increased risk of some cancers (e.g., intestinal lymphoma)
Affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide
Many remain undiagnosed
More common in people with other autoimmune diseases (like Type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s) or family history
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2023). Celiac Disease.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Celiac Disease.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease
Lebwohl, B., Sanders, D. S., & Green, P. H. (2018). Coeliac disease. The Lancet, 391(10115), 70–81.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31796-8
Celiac Disease Foundation. (2023). Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.
https://celiac.org
Rubio-Tapia, A., et al. (2012). The prevalence of celiac disease in the United States. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 107(10), 1538–1544.
https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2012.219
No frequently asked questions found.
No related content found.
No related content found.
No related content found.
No related content found.
