10 Surprising Symptoms of Celiac Disease

It’s Celiac Awareness Month

Did you know May is the Celiac Awareness Month? I wanted to bring some awareness to this autoimmune disease that affects 1 in every 141 people in the U.S.?

Why do I want to bring more awareness? It is GUT related and I am all about the gut.. also…

It is estimated that up to 83% of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

The average person isn’t properly diagnosed for 6-10 years! That’s nuts!

Let’s get educated !

10 Common Signs of Celiac Disease

1. Diarrhea and constipation are typically two of the first symptoms experienced by those with celiac disease.

2. Bloating …when I say bloating I don’t mean the “I ate too much” bloat after eating too much… but feeling and looking pregnant even though you aren’t. The bloat is often painful and doesn’t resolve quickly. This bloat sticks around until the gluten is out of your system and your gut has time to calm down.

3. Gas… A lot of foul smelling gas that seems to linger with no relief.

4. Fatigue and sleep disorders are often a result of celiac disease due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Remember the body is not absorbing or nutrients efficiently nor is it producing hormones properly.

5. Migraines are another painful symptom associated with Celiac Disease… most people do not even make the connection between migraines and celiac disease BUT they are indeed tied together- don’t forget about the gut- brain axis.

6. Weight loss… losing weight extremely fast- or difficulty keeping weight on this is due to the inability to use and process nutrients

7. Iron deficient anemia- impaired vitamin and nutrient absorption and mineral absorption. Common symptoms associated with iron deficient anemia are weakness, dizziness, fatigue and headaches.

8. Depression… 29 studies found that depression was more common in adults who had CD than the rest of the population. 39% of them started a gluten free diet and it reduces depressive feelings. Why is depression associated with poor gut health? It’s tied back to the gut-brain axis.

9. Gallbladder malfunction… Celiac Disease has been known to cause the gallbladder to malfunction which leads to symptoms like indigestion, heartburn and extreme abdominal pain.

10. Dermatitis Herpetiformis- Gluten rash, is an autoimmune disorder, most closely associated with celiac disease. Gluten rash is caused by an abnormal immune response to consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat. To learn more about DH see the image below.