Celiac disease
Autoimmune conditionAn autoimmune reaction to gluten (in wheat, barley, and rye) that damages the lining of the small intestine and blocks nutrient absorption.
For education only — this guide can't diagnose you. If these signs sound familiar, talk with a healthcare provider. Book a consult
What happens
In people with certain genes (HLA-DQ2 or DQ8), gluten triggers an immune attack on the villi, the finger-like projections that absorb nutrients. Over time this can lead to low iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, and calcium, even with a healthy diet.
Who gets it
About 1 in 100 people has celiac disease, and it's diagnosed more often in women. Risk is higher with a parent, sibling, or child who has it, and with type 1 diabetes or autoimmune thyroid disease.
Signs worth getting checked
- Bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Iron-deficiency anemia that doesn't improve with iron
- An itchy, blistering rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Mouth ulcers
- Headaches or tingling
- Low bone density, infertility, or miscarriage
- Many adults have few or no gut symptoms
Labs to ask about
- tTG-IgA antibody with total IgA (you must be eating gluten before testing)
- Endomysial antibodies (EMA)
- Endoscopy with small-intestine biopsy to confirm
- Ferritin, B12, folate, and vitamin D
Treatments your doctor may discuss
- A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, which is the only treatment
- Correcting nutrient deficiencies
- Repeat antibody tests to confirm the gut is healing
- Bone density testing for some people
Supportive steps to discuss with your provider
- Don't go gluten-free before testing. It can make the tests falsely negative.
- Work with a dietitian. Hidden gluten and cross-contact matter.
- Ask about testing your parents, siblings, and children.
- Rebuild iron, B12, folate, and vitamin D based on your labs.
See a doctor promptly if you have
- Unintended weight loss
- Blood in the stool or black stools
- Ongoing diarrhea or vomiting
- Symptoms that continue despite a strict gluten-free diet
Related conditions
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.