This site is intended to share the answers I found in my quest to understand celiac disease with family, friends, and others who may be trying to find the answers I too have been seeking. This is a compilation of answers from various sources (clearly listed and linked prior to the quotes).
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
(Source: Celiac.org: Celiac Disease Symptoms)
“Digestive symptoms are more common in infants and children… Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms, with only one-third experiencing diarrhea.”
• abdominal bloating and pain
• chronic diarrhea
• vomiting
• constipation
• pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• weight loss
• fatigue
• irritability and behavioral issues
• dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth
• delayed growth and puberty
• short stature
• failure to thrive
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• chronic diarrhea
• vomiting
• constipation
• pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• weight loss
• fatigue
• irritability and behavioral issues
• dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth
• delayed growth and puberty
• short stature
• failure to thrive
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• fatigue
• bone or joint pain
• arthritis
• osteoporosis or osteopenia (bone loss)
• liver and biliary tract disorders (transaminitis, fatty liver, primary sclerosing cholangitis, etc.)
• depression or anxiety
• peripheral neuropathy ( tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet)
• seizures or migraines
• missed menstrual periods
• infertility or recurrent miscarriage
• canker sores inside the mouth
• dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy skin rash)
• fatigue
• bone or joint pain
• arthritis
• osteoporosis or osteopenia (bone loss)
• liver and biliary tract disorders (transaminitis, fatty liver, primary sclerosing cholangitis, etc.)
• depression or anxiety
• peripheral neuropathy ( tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet)
• seizures or migraines
• missed menstrual periods
• infertility or recurrent miscarriage
• canker sores inside the mouth
• dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy skin rash)
Other sources:
- Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic
- What are the symptoms of celiac disease? – WebMD
What are the long term health effects of celiac disease (if a gluten-free diet is not followed)?
(Source: Celiac.org: What is Celiac Disease?)
“Celiac disease can develop at any age after people start eating foods or medicines that contain gluten. Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to additional serious health problems. … Celiac disease is [also] associated with a number of autoimmune disorders, with the most common being thyroid disease and Type 1 Diabetes.”
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Infertility and miscarriage
• Lactose intolerance
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including ataxia, epileptic seizures, dementia, migraine, neuropathy, myopathy and multifocal leucoencephalopathy
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Gall bladder malfunction
• Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Infertility and miscarriage
• Lactose intolerance
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including ataxia, epileptic seizures, dementia, migraine, neuropathy, myopathy and multifocal leucoencephalopathy
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Gall bladder malfunction
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (intestinal and extra-intestinal, T- and B-cell types)
• Small intestinal adenocarcinoma
• Esophageal carcinoma
• Papillary thyroid cancer
• Melanoma
• Small intestinal adenocarcinoma
• Esophageal carcinoma
• Papillary thyroid cancer
• Melanoma
• Arthritis/Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Addison’s Disease
• Autoimmune Hepatitis
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Autoimmune Thyroid Disease)
• Crohn’s Disease; Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Chronic Pancreatitis
• Down Syndrome
• Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• IgA Nephropathy (Berger’s Disease)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Turner Syndrome
• Type I Diabetes
• Ulcerative Colitis; Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Williams Syndrome
• Addison’s Disease
• Autoimmune Hepatitis
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Autoimmune Thyroid Disease)
• Crohn’s Disease; Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Chronic Pancreatitis
• Down Syndrome
• Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• IgA Nephropathy (Berger’s Disease)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Turner Syndrome
• Type I Diabetes
• Ulcerative Colitis; Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Williams Syndrome
What are the dangers of undiagnosed celiac disease?
(Source: Celiac Disease: Should There Be Screening for All – Consequences of undiagnosed celiac disease (AGA Perspectives, Vol. 8 No. 2 | April/May 2012 (linked from http://www.bidmc.org/Centers-and-Departments/Departments/Digestive-Disease-Center/Services/Celiac-Center/CeliacNow/MedicalMgmnt.aspx))
“Undiagnosed celiac disease may increase morbidity, economic burden and mortality. Many people with undiagnosed celiac disease may seek substantial health care before being correctly diagnosed. Increased mortality risk is a concern and may require further comment. All-cause mortality was increased four-fold among young men with undiagnosed celiac disease than among seronegative referent subjects during 45 years of follow-up. This finding was supported by a European study that demonstrated a twofold increased mortality risk among middleaged men and women with positive tissue transglutaminase antibody. However, other studies that either included older individuals and/or had a shorter follow-up failed to confirm these observations. The mortality risk might be influenced by the amount and duration of gluten consumed before and after celiac disease onset. Thus, detection of celiac disease — to be effective — should be started early in life if it will impact survival.”
How do the various symptoms & conditions respond to a gluten-free diet?
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal discomfort/pain
• Excess gas
• Constipation
• Fatty stools
• Fecal incontinence (soiling (stool) accidents)
• Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamins A, E, and K, zinc and other minerals, etc.
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal discomfort/pain
• Excess gas
• Constipation
• Fatty stools
• Fecal incontinence (soiling (stool) accidents)
• Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamins A, E, and K, zinc and other minerals, etc.
• Lactose intolerance
• Fructose malabsorption
• Heartburn
• Microscopic colitis
• Fructose malabsorption
• Heartburn
• Microscopic colitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Canker sores
• Angular cheilitis (cracks at the corner of the mouth)
• Abnormally high liver enzymes on blood testing
• Anemia from deficiency of iron, B12, and/or folic acid
• Canker sores
• Angular cheilitis (cracks at the corner of the mouth)
• Abnormally high liver enzymes on blood testing
• Anemia from deficiency of iron, B12, and/or folic acid
• Reduced function of the spleen
• Fatigue
• Depressed mood
• Poor concentration
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Follicular keratosis
• Dental enamel loss
• Short stature
• Thinning of bones (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
• Joint pains
• Reduced fertility
• Recurrent miscarriages
• Fatigue
• Depressed mood
• Poor concentration
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Follicular keratosis
• Dental enamel loss
• Short stature
• Thinning of bones (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
• Joint pains
• Reduced fertility
• Recurrent miscarriages
• IgA deficiency
• IgA nephropathy
• Sarcoidosis
• Lupus (SLE)
• Poor coordination (cerebellar ataxia)
• Tingling and numbness of hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
• Seizure disorder
• Patches of depigmentation on the skin (Vitiligo)
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Addison's disease
• Fibrosing alveolitis
• Pulmonary hemosiderosis
• Lung cavities
• IgA nephropathy
• Sarcoidosis
• Lupus (SLE)
• Poor coordination (cerebellar ataxia)
• Tingling and numbness of hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
• Seizure disorder
• Patches of depigmentation on the skin (Vitiligo)
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Addison's disease
• Fibrosing alveolitis
• Pulmonary hemosiderosis
• Lung cavities
To see auto immune disorder ages and percentages, go to:
Celiac.org: Associated Autoimmune Disorders, Conditions, & Cancers
Comprehensive “symptom” list
[conditions that may have been caused by celiac disease (and hence a clue to the possibility of celiac); It makes sense that people could have such a wide variety of symptoms (or even a lack of symptoms), if you consider that celiac causes the intestine not to send nutrients to some body systems that need them to perform correctly. Which body systems are effected varies from person to person depending on which nutrients are not being sent.](Source: Celiac Support Association)
| Symptom | System |
| Abdominal Cramping/Bloating | Digestive |
| Abdominal Distention | Digestive |
| Abnormal Hematologic Values in Childhood | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Acquired Ichthyosis | Integumentary |
| Addison’S Disease | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Addison’S Disease | Glandular |
| Adenocarcinoma of Small intestine | Digestive |
| Adhd ( Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) | Nervous System |
| Allergic Rhinitis | Immune System |
| Alopecia | Integumentary |
| Amenorrhea | Reproductive |
| Anorexia | Nervous System |
| Anti-Endomysium Antibodies (Ema) Present | Hematologic |
| Anti-Gliadin Antibodies (Aga) Present | Hematologic |
| Anti-Tissue Transglutanimase Antibodies (Ttg) Present | Hematologic |
| Antiphospholipid Syndrome | Immune System |
| Anxiety | Nervous System |
| Aortic Vasculitis Causing Midaortic Syndrome | Cardiovascular |
| Apathy | Nervous System |
| Appetite (increased To The Point of Craving) | Digestive |
| Arthritis, Enteropathic | Skeletal |
| Arthritis, Juvenille Idiopathic | Skeletal |
| Associated Autoimmune Antibodies Present | Hematologic |
| Asthma | Immune System |
| Atherosclerosis | Cardiovascular |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (Adhd) and Learning Disabilities | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Autism & Learning Disorders | Nervous System |
| Autism and Learning Disabilities | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Autoimmune Hepatitis | Glandular |
| Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes | Immune System |
| Autoimmune Thyroiditis | Glandular |
| B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | Lymphatic |
| Back Pain (Such As A Result of Collapsed Lumbar Vertebrae) | Skeletal |
| Bakers Asthma | Pulmonary |
| Bilateral Uveitis | Sensory |
| Bitot’S Spots | Sensory |
| Bleeding Or Swollen Gums | Mouth/Dental (Digestive) |
| Blurred Vision | Sensory |
| Bone Disease | Skeletal |
| Bone Fractures | Skeletal |
| Bone Pain | Skeletal |
| Brain Atrophy | Nervous System |
| Cancer of The Esophagus | Digestive |
| Cancer of The Pharynx | Digestive |
| Cancer Predisposition in Children | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Candida Albicans Mucosal infection | Digestive |
| Carbohydrate Malabsorption | Digestive |
| Cardiomegaly | Cardiovascular |
| Cataracts | Sensory |
| Cerebral Perfusion Abnormalities | Nervous System |
| Cheilosis (Cracking of The Corners of The Mouth) | Mouth/Dental (Digestive) |
| Chorea | Nervous System |
| Chron Ic Ulcerative Jejunitis | Digestive |
| Chronic Urticaria (Hives) | Integumentary |
| Chronic Bloodshot Eyes | Sensory |
| Chronic Bullous Dermatosis of Childhood | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Collagenous Colitis | Digestive |
| Colonic Volvulus and Ulcerative Jejunoileitis | Digestive |
| Common Variable Immunodeficiency | Immune System |
| Congenital Anomalies | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Constipation | Digestive |
| Coronary Artery Disease | Cardiovascular |
| Cortical Calcifying Angiomatosis | Nervous System |
| Crohn’S Disease | Digestive |
| Cryptic intestinal T-Cell Lymphoma (Refractory Sprue) | Lymphatic |
| Cutaneous Vasculitis | Integumentary |
| Cystic Fibrosis | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Decreased Ability To Clot Blood | Hematologic |
| Delayed Gastric Emptying | Digestive |
| Delayed Puberty in Girls Or Boys | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Dementia | Nervous System |
| Depression | Nervous System |
| Dermatitis Herpetiformis | Integumentary |
| Dermatitis Herpetiformis in Childhood | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Dermatomyositis | Integumentary |
| Developmental Delay | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Diabetic instability | Glandular |
| Diarrhea | Digestive |
| Duodenal Erosions in The Second Part of The Duodenum | Digestive |
| Dysgeusia | Sensory |
| Dysmenorrhea | Reproductive |
| Dyspareunia | Reproductive |
| Dysphagia | Digestive |
| Early Menopause | Reproductive |
| Ecchymosis (Easy Bruising) | Cardiovascular |
| Eczema | Integumentary |
| Edema | Integumentary |
| Electrolyte Depletion | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Emicrania | Nervous System |
| Enteropathy-Associated T Cell Lymphoma (Eatl) | Lymphatic |
| Epilepsy | Nervous System |
| Epistaxis, Unexplained | Cardiovascular |
| Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (Eed) | Integumentary |
| Erythema Nodosum | Integumentary |
| Esophageal Motor Abnormalities | Digestive |
| Esophageal Small Cell Carcinoma | Digestive |
| Excessive Gas | Digestive |
| Extraintestinal Lymphomas | Lymphatic |
| Failure To Thrive | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Fatigue | Nervous System |
| Fecal Occult Blood in Children | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Feet (Reduced Fat Padding) Look For Terms On Padding Issues? | Skeletal |
| Flatus (Passing Gas) | Digestive |
| Follicular Hyperkeratosis | Integumentary |
| Food Allergy, Ige and Non Ige | Digestive |
| Gastric Ulcer | Digestive |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Gerd) | Digestive |
| Gastrointestinal Complications in Type 1 Diabetes | Glandular |
| Generalized Acquired Cutis Laxa | Integumentary |
| Gluten Ataxia | Nervous System |
| Gluten Sensitive Enteritis | Digestive |
| Glycogenic Acanthosis | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Grave’S Disease | Glandular |
| Growth Failure | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Heartburn | Digestive |
| Helicobacter Pylori infection (H. Pylori) | Digestive |
| Hepatic Granulomatous Disease | Glandular |
| Horizontal & Vertical Nail Ridges | Integumentary |
| Hyperparathyroidism | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Hyperparathyroidism | Glandular |
| Hyperprolactinemia | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Hypertransaminasemia (Elevated Liver Enzymes) | Hematologic |
| Hypocalcemia(Low Plasma Calcium) | Hematologic |
| Hypocalciuria | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Hypocalciuria | Skeletal |
| Hypocupremia (Low Plasma Copper) | Hematologic |
| Hypokalemia (Low Plasma Potassium) | Hematologic |
| Hypokalemic Rhabdomyolysis | Muscular |
| Hypomagnesemia (Low Plasma Magnesium) | Hematologic |
| Hypophosphatemia (Low Plasma Phosphate Level) | Hematologic |
| Hypoprothrombinemia (Low Prothrombin Level) | Hematologic |
| Hyposplenism | Lymphatic |
| Hypothyroidism | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Hypotonia | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Idiopathic Hemosiderosis Pulmonary | Pulmonary |
| Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura | Hematologic |
| Iga Deficiency | Immune System |
| Iga Nephropathy | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Impaired Gall Bladder Motility | Digestive |
| Impotence | Reproductive |
| Inability To Concentrate | Nervous System |
| Increased intestinal Permeability | Digestive |
| Increased Pulmonary Permeability | Pulmonary |
| Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis | Pulmonary |
| Infertility, Male | Reproductive |
| Infertility, Recurrent Miscarriage | Reproductive |
| Insomnia | Nervous System |
| Intestinal Edema | Digestive |
| Intraepithelial Lymphocytosis in Small Bowel Samples | Lymphatic |
| Intrauterine Growth Retardation | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Iron-Deficiency Anemia That Does Not Respond To Iron Therapy | Hematologic |
| Irritability | Nervous System |
| Irritable Bowel | Digestive |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Digestive |
| Joint Pain | Skeletal |
| Juvenille Autoimmune Thyroid Disease | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Juvenille Diabetes Type 1 | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Juvenille Idiopathic Arthritis | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca | Sensory |
| Koilonychia | Integumentary |
| Lactose intolerance | Digestive |
| Laryngospasm (Spasm of The Laryngeal Muscles) | Digestive |
| Late Menarche | Reproductive |
| Latent Anemia in intestinal Enzymopathies of Small intestine | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Loss of Smell | Sensory |
| Low Cholesterol | Hematologic |
| Low Plasma Proteins | Hematologic |
| Lung Cavities Or Abcess | Pulmonary |
| Lymphadenopathy | Lymphatic |
| Lymphocytic Colitis | Digestive |
| Lymphocytic Gastritis | Digestive |
| Macrocytosis (Altered Blood Formation) | Hematologic |
| Macrolipasemia (Altered Plasma Lipase) | Hematologic |
| Macromylasemia (Altered Amylase Bound With Serum Proteins) | Hematologic |
| Maltose intolerance | Digestive |
| Melanoma | Integumentary |
| Mesenteric Lymph Node Cavitation and Hyposlenism | Lymphatic |
| Migraine Headaches | Nervous System |
| Milk intolerance | Digestive |
| Mouth Sores | Mouth/Dental (Digestive) |
| Mouth Ulcers | Mouth/Dental (Digestive) |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Nervous System |
| Muscle Cramping (Especially in The Hands and Legs) | Muscular |
| Muscle Pain and Tenderness | Muscular |
| Muscle Wasting | Muscular |
| Muscle Weakness | Muscular |
| Nail Abnormalities (Dry, Brittle, Crack, Chip, Curved, Dark, Dry) | Integumentary |
| Nervous System Disorders | Nervous System |
| Neutropenia, Granulocytic Hypersegmentation | Hematologic |
| Night Blindness | Sensory |
| Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease | Glandular |
| Obstetrical Complications | Reproductive |
| Occipital Lobe Epilepsy With Cerebral Calcifications | Nervous System |
| Occult Gastrointestinal Bleeding | Digestive |
| Ocular Myopathy | Sensory |
| Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica | Skeletal |
| Osteomalacia | Skeletal |
| Osteomalacic Myopathy | Muscular |
| Osteonecrosis | Skeletal |
| Osteopenia in Childhood | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Osteopenia Or Osteoporosis | Skeletal |
| Pancreatic insufficiency | Glandular |
| Parathyroid Carcinoma | Glandular |
| Penicillin V Impaired Absorption in Children | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | Nervous System |
| Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris | Integumentary |
| Pneumococal Septicemia | Pulmonary |
| Polymyositis | Muscular |
| Post-Cricoid Carcinoma | Digestive |
| Postbulbar Duodenal Ulceration and Stenosis | Digestive |
| Premenstrual Syndrome | Reproductive |
| Primary Biliary Cirrhosis | Digestive |
| Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis | Digestive |
| Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy | Nervous System |
| Prurigo Nodularis (Hyde’S Prurigo) | Integumentary |
| Pruritic Skin Rash | Integumentary |
| Psoriasis | Integumentary |
| Psychiatric Disorders Such As Anxiety, Depression, Irritability | Nervous System |
| Puerperium Complicated By Celiac Disease | Reproductive |
| Refractory Iron Deficiency Anemia in Childhood | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Renal Calculus | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Reversible Hypertension | Cardiovascular |
| Rickets | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Sarcoidosis | Immune System |
| Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders | Nervous System |
| Scleroderma | Integumentary |
| Seborrhea | Integumentary |
| Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy | Reproductive |
| Short Duration of Breast Feeding | Reproductive |
| Short Stature | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Sjorgren’S Syndrome | Immune System |
| Small Bowel intussusception | Digestive |
| Sperm Abnormalities | Reproductive |
| Spina Bifida | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Spontaneous Abortions | Reproductive |
| Steatorrhea | Glandular |
| Stroke in Childhood | Signs & Symptoms in Children |
| Subungual Splinter Hemorrhages | Integumentary |
| Sucrose intolerance and Sucrosemia | Digestive |
| Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | Immune System |
| Tetany | Muscular |
| Tingling Or Numbness in Lower Extremities | Nervous System |
| Tongue (Swollen, Smooth, Burning) | Mouth/Dental (Digestive) |
| Tooth Enamel Defects | Mouth/Dental (Digestive) |
| Transient Erythroblastopenia | Hematologic |
| Tremors | Nervous System |
| Type 1 Diabetes | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Type 1 Diabetes | Glandular |
| Ulcerative Colitis | Digestive |
| Unexplained Blepharitis | Sensory |
| Unexplained Hypogonadism in Adult Males | Reproductive |
| Urinary Tract infection | Endocrine/Metabolic |
| Vaginitis | Reproductive |
| Vasculitis of The Central Nervous System | Nervous System |
| Vitiligo | Integumentary |
| Vomiting | Digestive |
| Weight Loss | Digestive |
| White Spots and Bands in Nails | Integumentary |
| Xerophthalmia | Sensory |
| Zincemia (Low Plasma Zinc) | Hematologic |