Do I have Celiac Disease?

Do I Have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?

Have you been asking yourself, “do I have Celiac Disease?” or “am I gluten intolerant?”

Unfortunately the answer isn’t always that simple, but we’ve learned a thing or two over the years. So, hopefully we can lead you in the right direction!

One of the best ways to understand gluten and how it involves you, is to understand what gluten is and its history.

The problem is, there’s so much information out there, it can become quite overwhelming — think science, studies, and more science…yeah…

Over here at Gluten Free Anonymous, we try to simplify things for you. Let’s get started!

What is Gluten?

Simply put, gluten is a protein composite found in wheat. It’s the same stuff that makes our baked wheat chewy and helps it keep its shape.

Head over to our What is Gluten post or 9 Basic Need to Know’s about Gluten for a more detailed summary of gluten, its history, and facts.

What does this little protein composite have to do with you, you ask? Well, read on young Glutenite!

What is Celiac Disease, What is Gluten Intolerance & What is Wheat Allergy?

The distinction between these two can seem a bit confusing at first, but they’re actually quite different.

Celiac disease, is an autoimmune disorder. Those who have Celiac disease can actually suffer intestinal tissue damage (due to the immunological response).

Gluten intolerance, on the other hand, is often referred to as gluten sensitivity or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center states that gluten intolerance, “causes the body to mount a stress response (often [gastrointestinal] symptoms).”

Wheat allergy is when a person has an abnormal immune system response to any of the proteins existing in wheat. Those with a wheat allergy have developed antibodies to one/several of these proteins, which causes an allergy.

Celiac Disease Symptoms vs Gluten Intolerance Symptoms vs Wheat Allergy Symptoms

Typical and non-typical symptoms include:

SymptomCeliac DiseaseGluten IntoleranceWheat Allergy
Abdominal Discomfort/Bloating
ADHD
Anemia
Chest tightness
Chronic “hay fever”
Constant Fatigue
Constipation
cramps
Dangerously low blood pressure
Death
Delayed Growth in Children (failure to thrive)
Depression/Anxiety
Dermatitis Herpeteformis (itchy rash resembling acne or shingles)
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty Focusing/Brain Fog
Dizziness or fainting
Frequent Bruising
Gas
Headaches/Migraines
Hyperactivity
Infertility/Repeat Miscarriages
Irritable Bowel Disease
Itching, hives, swelling of skin
Itchy, watery eyes
Lactose Intolerance
Liver Disease
Loss of consciousness
Mood Swings
Muscle Weakness/Joint Pain
nausea
Nerve Damage
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Obesity
Osteoporosis/Arthritis
Pale skin
Severe difficulty breathing
Sinus headache/pressure/congestion
Sluggishness/Lethargy
Swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth or throat
Thyroid Disorders
Tightness or swelling of the throat, trouble swallowing
Type 1 Diabetes
Unusually fast heart rate
vomiting
Weight Loss due to malabsorption

 

So…Do You Have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?

This is definitely a hard question to answer. Now that you know what the differences are, and the symptoms, it’s time to consult an expert. We highly advise you talk to a doctor to find out if you are at risk. The next step of this guide will discuss Testing and Diagnosis.