Symptoms / Diagnosis

By Nancy Lapid, About.com Guide to Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which consumption of gluten (proteins in wheat, barley, and rye) causes the body’s immune system to attack and damage the small intestine. Learn what the symptoms are and how celiac disease is diagnosed.

1. What Is Celiac Disease?
2. Signs and Symptoms Of Celiac Disease
3. Diagnosis Of Celiac Disease

What Is Celiac Disease?

Learn some basic facts about celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue, gluten intolerance, or gluten enteropathy).

• An Overview Of Celiac Disease
• What's The Difference Between An Allergy And An Autoimmune Disorder?
• Can Children Outgrow Celiac Disease?
• Celiac Disease Information In Spanish

Signs and Symptoms Of Celiac Disease

Signs and symptoms of celiac disease are easy to miss. Learn the common problems so you can ask your doctor if you should be tested.

• Typical And Atypical Symptoms Of Celiac Disease
• Complications Of Untreated Celiac Disease
• Refractory (Unresponsive) Celiac Disease
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Lactose Intolerance And Celiac Disease
• Osteoporosis And Celiac Disease

• Depression And Celiac Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Or Celiac Disease?
• Short Stature And Celiac Disease
• Alopecia Areata And Celiac Disease
• Are People With Celiac Disease Always Thin?

Diagnosis Of Celiac Disease

To confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease, doctors rely on a combination of blood tests and small intestine biopsies.

• Diagnosing Celiac Disease With Blood Tests And Biopsy
• Genetic Testing For Celiac Disease
• You Need To Be Gluten-Free. Now What?

• First Steps When Your Child Is Diagnosed
• When Will You Start To Feel Better?
• Newly Diagnosed? Get A Gluten-Free Care Package