Coeliac disease can lead to diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and more. Test to see if you have coeliac disease here.
Overview
What is gluten?
It’s the name given to the proteins in grains such as wheat, rye and barley.
Is coeliac disease the same things as a gluten allergy/intolerance?
No. They’re all distinct conditions. See below for more details.
What is coeliac disease?
A reaction, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy tissue in your gut.
How do I know if I have coeliac disease?
A simple blood test is all you need. Book yours now.
What are the symptoms?
Typical symptoms range from flatulence and diarrhoea to extreme fatigue and weight loss.
Should I switch to a gluten-free diet now?
No. Take the test, then see your GP before making any dietary changes.
Did You Know?
It’s important to keep eating a regular diet until you are diagnosed with coeliac disease or gluten allergy/sensitivity. Only then should you discuss switching to a gluten-free diet with your GP.
What is gluten?
Gluten is the name given to the proteins in wheat, rye, spelt, barley, semolina and many other grains. It is extremely common, and typical in foods including pasta, bread, cakes, cereals and beer.
Coeliac disease, gluten allergy or intolerance?
It’s easy to think of these three as one and the same, especially since many of their symptoms can be very similar.
- Coeliac disease is a condition of the auto-immune system in which eating gluten causes the immune system to attack and damage the lining of the gut. Technically speaking, it’s not an allergy.
- Gluten intolerance is also not an allergy, nor does it cause damage to the gut lining, although its symptoms can often be almost identical to coeliac disease.
- As the name suggests, a gluten allergy is an allergy – to the proteins in gluten. With a gluten allergy, your body mistakenly treats gluten as a threat and releases antibodies to fight that threat. That process releases chemicals which cause allergic reactions which can feel like coeliac disease, but which can also, in extreme cases, be life threatening.
You can find more about gluten allergy testing here.
The similarity between many of the symptoms of coeliac disease, gluten intolerance and gluten allergy can make it very difficult to tell which condition you have. That’s why testing can be essential.
What are the symptoms of coeliac disease?
Typical symptoms of coeliac disease can include bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea. Because the disease prevents your gut from absorbing certain nutrients, you may feel extreme fatigue, and it can cause weight loss.
Coeliac disease should not be life threatening in the UK, but in extreme cases it can lead to malnourishment, and children with undiagnosed coeliac disease may have their growth limited.
Treating coeliac disease
There is no cure for coeliac disease, but a gluten-free diet can help you avoid the symptoms. Avoiding gluten is now much easier than it once was – most supermarkets stock a wide range of gluten-free foods, but it’s important that you complete your coeliac disease/gluten allergy testing before you switch to a gluten-free diet. That’s because:
- a. Without gluten in your diet, the test will be unable to gauge your reaction to it; and
- b. You should only begin a gluten-free diet if you have one of the above conditions and after consultation with your GP
How do I get tested?
Better2Know Your Body offers many blood tests designed to check for coeliac disease, gluten allergy and gluten intolerance. Each test explores genetic predisposition and a varying range of antibodies. This test checks for:
- Endomysial IgA
- Reticulin IgA
- Gliadin IgA + lgG
- Total IgA
- Tissue Transglutaminase (IgA)
- HLA DQ2/DQ8
To book your test contact Better2Know Your Body now on the number above or click the Book Now button below.