Celiac disease isn’t always easy to diagnose, since the symptoms of celiac disease are similar with so many other conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome, it can be difficult to diagnose.
Researchers have recently discovered those with the disease have an abnormally high level of a certain antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are a result of an immune system response to what the body perceives as threatening substances. Testing for celiac disease includes a blood test for these antibodies to tissue transglutaminase and endomysium.
Treatment of Celiac Disease
A gluten free diet, which means avoiding all food that contains, wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. This means most breads, pastas, grains, cereals, and processed food. This typically requires a lifetime change in the diet.
Who should get screened according to the Celiac Disease Foundation?
Children older than 3 and adults experiencing symptoms of celiac disease should be tested
First-degree relatives of people with celiac disease – parents, siblings and children have a 1 in 10 risk compared to 1 in 100 in the general population
Any individual with an associated autoimmune disorder or other condition, especially type 1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune liver disease, Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome, and selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency
The Celiac Disease Foundation reveals some interesting facts about Celiac Disease
Celiac disease affects an estimated three million Americans.
80% of Americans with celiac disease are not diagnosed and are needlessly suffering.
People with a first degree relative with celiac disease have a 1 in 10 chance of developing celiac disease themselves.
More children have celiac disease than Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, and Cystic Fibrosis combined.
Celiac disease can affect every organ in your body.
People with celiac disease have an increased incidence of microscopic colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).
People with celiac disease may have lactose and/or fructose intolerance, both of which can be diagnosed by a hydrogen breadth test.
People recently diagnosed with celiac disease are commonly deficient in fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, folate, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
Any food product that is labeled “gluten-free” cannot contain more than 20 parts per million of gluten, which is the safe threshold of gluten consumption for people with celiac disease.
Approximately 20% of people with celiac disease are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t experience any external symptoms at all. However, everyone with celiac disease is still at risk for long-term complications.
Celiac disease can develop at any age after people start eating foods or medications that contain gluten.
The later the age of celiac disease diagnosis, the greater the chance of developing another autoimmune disorder.
If you think you or a loved one may have Celiac Disease, take this assessment test. Then contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida for an appointment.
Our medical team consists of skilled, Board Certified Gastroenterology Physicians. We work with you, your primary care physician, and your insurance company to ensure a treatment protocol that is designed to meet your specific needs.