What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

Celiac disease affects people differently. For example, one person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. Some people with celiac disease have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of celiac disease may include one or more of the following:

• gas
• recurring abdominal bloating and pain
• chronic diarrhea
• pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• weight loss / weight gain
• fatigue
• unexplained anemia
• bone or joint pain
• osteoporosis, osteopenia
• behavioral changes
• tingling numbness in the legs  
• muscle cramps
• seizures
• missed menstrual periods – amenorrhea
• infertility, recurrent miscarriage
• delayed growth
• failure to thrive in infants
• pale sores inside the mouth
• tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
• itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis
• sings of malnutrition such as anemia, delayed growth, and weight loss

Diagnosis of Celiac disease

This condition because is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked as it can be similar to many other conditions. It is most frequently confused with:

• diarrhea
• persistent indigestion
• a rash
• irritable bowel syndrome

There are several tests that can be used to assist the diagnosis. 

Blood tests

The first tests to be done are usually blood tests. A blood test can detect high levels of antibodies and is used to initially detect those who are most likely to have the disease and who may need further testing. It is also important to know that it is possible for a person to have negative results, and still have celiac disease. In those cases the next step in diagnosis is a biopsy. 

Endoscopy with biopsy

The most accurate diagnostic tool is definitely an upper endoscopy with biopsy of the distal duodenum or jejunum. It is important for the physician to obtain multiple samples from various places throughout the intestine. Sometimes even upper endoscopy carries a risk of false negative results. This is because celiac disease may or may not damage villi throughout the entire small intestine, and upper endoscopy only examines the upper part of the intestine. 

Trial diet

In the last couple of years, this diagnostic tool has become very popular. A trial of a gluten-free diet can also confirm a diagnosis. If the symptoms disappear, the results are clear.