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:
| Symptom | Celiac Disease | Gluten Intolerance | Wheat 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.