Symptoms of Celiac disease

Coeliac disease can present itself in a variety of ways, depending on the person. Where some people experience significant symptoms, others may report no symptoms at all (i.e., asymptomatic disease). The variability in symptoms from one person to the next can make diagnosis challenging. Coeliac disease also shares considerable symptom overlap with other gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (e.g., abdominal pain, diarrhoea). Many people with coeliac disease describe long periods before being diagnosed, with several studies finding average diagnostic delays of over ten years! It is important to note that the number and/or severity of symptoms is not indicative of the underlying bowel damage. A person that is getting exposed to gluten may feel okay but may nonetheless be in a state of active disease, and at a heightened risk of long-term complications. Fortunately, good dietary management can reduce the likelihood of both symptoms re-emerging and long-term issues.