People suffering from celiac disease have numerous and diverse symptoms. There are about 300 possible symptoms of the disease. Certain symptoms, like headaches or fertility problems, are not immediately associated with the celiac. Usually, it requires months or years before we see the right doctor and the diagnosis is made.
Gastrointestinal symptoms:
(mostly due to fat malabsorption)
- Diarrhea
- Stomach crumps
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Abdominal bloating and pain
- Nausea
- Irritable bowel
- Indigestion
- Sticky, greasy stools
- Loose stools
- Poor absorption of nutrients, medicines and supplements
- Hemorrhoids
- Cancers of the intestine (rare cases)
(due to carbohydrate malabsorption caused by a lack of the lactase enzyme located on a surface of the villi)
- Lactose intolerance
- Abdominal distention
- Excessive flatulence
Other symptoms resulted from poor absorption of nutrients:
- Fatigue
- Energy loss
- Excessive sleeping
- Irritable and fussy behavior
- High cholesterol
- Hair loss
- Easily bruising
- Fluid retention and joint swellings
- Itchy skin with a rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Nosebleeds
- Arthritis
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis (fig 1)
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatism
Fig 1. Bone structure – healthy and with osteoporosis.
Oral symptoms:
- Gum disease
- Swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Tooth enamel erosion
- Tooth cracking
- Mouth infections
- Mouth ulcers
- Cavities
Female-specific symptoms:
- Irregular menstruation
- Heavy, painful menstruation
- Hormonal level swings
- Breast tenderness
- Early menopause
- Swollen bladder
- Bludder infections
- Infertility
- Reduced fertility
- Miscarriages
Neurological symptoms:
(Peripheral neuropathy – nerve damage: motor nerves, sensory nerves, and autonomic nerves)
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Ataxia
- Muscle cramps (legs, back)/pains
- Muscle twitching
- Muscle weakness
- Abnormal blood pressure or heart rate
- Lowered body temperature
- Reduced ability to sweat normally
- Poor balance
- Sudden feelings of fear or anxiousness
- Dizziness
- Changes in vision
- Migraines (chronic headaches)
- ADHD
Weight related symptoms:
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Constant hunger
- Overweight or weight loss
- Poor growth / underweight (especially children)
Psychological symptoms:
- Depression
- Difficulty to concentrate
- Memory loss
- Foggy mind
- Learning disabilities
- Moodiness
- Mood swings
- Tearfulness
- Irritability
- Irrational anger
- Isolation
- Lost interest in activities
- Sleeping issues
Common nutrient deficiencies:
Minerals:
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
Vitamins:
- Vitamin A (retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid)
- Vitamin D (calciferol)
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
- Vitamin K (phylloquinone, menadione)
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, or pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamins)
