Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms

Gluten sensitivity symptoms are not a just problem for people with celiac disease. Many people with chronic ill health and no diagnosis could very well actually have symptoms of gluten intolerance but don't realise it.

Research has shown that it is not necessary to have a celiac gene to get an antibody immune reaction to gliadin or gluten.

The symptoms of sensitivity or gluten intolerance are similar to celiac disease symptoms because the gliadin will still affect the brain, the intestine, and the skin to some degree. The intestinal villi will not be completely eroded in most cases however, unless there is a celiac gene.

The Symptoms

Cracks in Corners of Lips

Tooth Enamel Defects or Discoloration

Frequent Indigestion

Malodorous frequent gas

Malodorous light or clay colored stools

Steatorrhea (floating stools)

Bloating

Abdominal Distension (look like gained 2 sizes, belly is hard)

Chronic diarrhea or constipation

Irritability or Moodiness

Depression

Muscle Weakness

Chronic fatigue, (Exhaustion)

Bone or Joint Pain, (Aching Joints)

Infertility (miscarriage, delayed puberty in girls, irregular menstruation.)

Skin Rashes (eczema, psoriasis, boils)

Dermatitis Herpetiformis (skin rash related to celiac disease)

Failure to Thrive in Babies, Short Stature in Adults

Peripheral Neuropathy (tingling or numbness in arms and legs)

Ataxia (gait difficulty, balance problems, uncoordinated walking)

Weight Changes (Sudden gain or loss of weight)

Many people have these symptoms, or at least enough of them to question whether they have a reaction to gluten. If you suspect you might have celiac disease, it is important to be tested by your doctor. The blood test and intestinal biopsy will only show positive as long as you are still consuming gluten. So it is important to be diagnosed before going on a gluten free diet.

If you have been tested and the tests were negative, but you still feel you react badly to wheat and other grains, you might want to consider a home test.

Regular allergy testing is not the correct way to find out about food intolerances. The immune system responds to a food sensitivity with an IGA or IGG antibody. In the case of an actual allergy, which could be severe (like an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts)and even immediately life threatening, the immune response created is an IGE antibody. So a regular allergy test will not tell you if you have a food sensitivity.

For more information on testing go to the section on Gluten Sensitivity in the navigation bar on the left.

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