Support, Diagnosis and Management
Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, the immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine, damaging the tiny villi responsible for absorbing nutrients from food.
Without treatment, this gut health condition can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive symptoms, fatigue, osteoporosis and other long-term health complications. The good news is that most people can successfully manage the condition through a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
It is important to understand that coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition . It is not a food allergy or food intolerance. When someone with coeliac disease consumes gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the small intestine. This damages the villi, reducing the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Gluten is found in:
Coeliac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK. However, many cases remain undiagnosed, meaning hundreds of thousands of people may be living with symptoms without knowing the cause. Research suggests that only around a third of people living with the disease have received a formal diagnosis.
Symptoms vary considerably from person to person, with some individuals experiencing severe digestive symptoms, while others have few or no symptoms at all. Early signs of coeliac disease can include the following common digestive symptoms:
Coeliac disease can affect many parts of the body, with common non-digestive symptoms including:
Children with untreated coeliac disease may experience:
The exact cause is not fully understood. Experts believe it develops through a combination of:
If a parent, sibling, or child has coeliac disease, the risk of developing the condition is significantly higher.
Diagnosis usually begins with a blood test that looks for specific antibodies associated with coeliac disease. If results suggest coeliac disease, a specialist may recommend an endoscopy and biopsy of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis.
Important
Do not start a gluten-free diet before testing is completed, as this can affect the accuracy of diagnostic results.
There is currently no cure, but symptoms and intestinal damage can usually be controlled through a strict gluten-free diet.
People with coeliac disease must avoid all sources of gluten for life.
This includes:
Naturally gluten-free foods include:
Most people notice significant symptom improvement within weeks of adopting a strict gluten-free diet.
A diagnosis of coeliac disease requires lifelong dietary management, but many people go on to live healthy, active lives once gluten is removed from their diet. Helpful strategies include:
If left untreated, coeliac disease may increase the risk of:
Early diagnosis and following a strict diet can significantly reduce these risks.
As the first step in your private digestive health journey, Clarity Consult is an entirely FREE consultation.
This is designed to be a clear, consultant-led private pathway for patients experiencing digestive symptoms, with fast access, transparent costs and flexible appointments.
You should speak to a healthcare professional if you experience chronic digestive symptoms, unexplained fatigue, iron deficiency anaemia, weight loss, fertility issues, or have a family history of coeliac disease.
No. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. Gluten intolerance or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity does not cause the same immune-mediated intestinal damage.
No. Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition and is not outgrown, although symptoms can often be controlled with a gluten-free diet.
There is currently no cure. A lifelong gluten-free diet remains the only effective treatment.
Untreated coeliac disease can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, anaemia, fertility issues, neurological problems and increased risk of certain cancers.
Many people notice symptom improvement within weeks, although complete intestinal healing can take months or years depending on age and disease severity.
Yes. Some people develop dermatitis herpetiformis, an intensely itchy blistering skin rash associated with coeliac disease.
Yes. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms and often results from nutrient deficiencies caused by poor absorption.
Some people with coeliac disease can tolerate certified gluten-free oats, but medical advice should always be sought before introducing them into the diet.
People with coeliac disease should avoid foods containing wheat, barley, rye and any products derived from these grains unless certified gluten free.
Yes. Having a close family member with coeliac disease increases your risk of developing the condition.
Yes. Coeliac disease can develop at any age, including adulthood, even in people who have previously tolerated gluten without issues.
Early symptoms may include bloating, diarrhoea, stomach pain, fatigue, anaemia, unexplained weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies.
No. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease rather than a food allergy or intolerance.
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten and damages the small intestine.
To learn more about how one of our Coeliac Disease specialists can support you, visit our Digestive Health Treatments page.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/
https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/symptoms/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/causes/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/diagnosis/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/treatment/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/complications/