Celiac disease symptoms: Gluten Free Works Symptom Guide

Celiac Disease Symptoms: The Gluten Free Works Symptom Guide

Could my symptoms be related to celiac disease?

This is a common question people ask in the face of a bewildering array of possible celiac disease symptoms. The Celiac Disease Symptom Guide will help you identify possible symptoms and health problems that you can present to your doctor.

Here is the list of over 300 Signs, Symptoms, Associated Disorders and Complications directly or indirectly resulting from celiac disease.

Gluten Free Works, Inc. was the first organization in the world to publish this information in its comprehensive book, “Recognizing Celiac Disease.” This list is now being used by celiac disease centers, national celiac organizations and health organizations worldwide.

BLOOD SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Abnormal levels of blood components and quality of blood cells and
plasma, detected by blood studies ordered by a doctor.

Anemia, Folic acid
Anemia, Iron
Anemia, Vitamin B12
Anti-Endomysium Antibodies (EMA)
Anti-Gliadin Antibodies (AGA)
Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies (tTG)
Associated Autoimmune Antibodies
Bone Alkaline Phosphatase Enzyme, Elevated
Calcium, Low
Cholesterol, Low (below 156)
Coagulation Factors, Low
Copper, Low
Hemochromatosis
Glucose, Low or elevated
Homocysteine, Elevated
Hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin hormone)
Hypoprothrombinemia
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Liver Enzymes, Elevated
Macroamylasemia
Macrocytosis
Macrolipasemia
Magnesium, Low
Neutropenia
Phosphorus, Low
Plasma Proteins, Low
Potassium, Low
Prolonged Prothrombin Time
Transient Erythroblastopenia
Zinc, Low

BODY COMPOSITION PROBLEMS
Disorders of the body as a whole.

Anorexia (Poor appetite)
Appetite, Increased
Cachexia (Wasting of the body)
Loss of Vitality
Obesity
Weight Gain, Unexplained
Weight Loss, Unexplained

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of the heart and blood vessels.

Angina Pectoris
Aortic Vasculitis
Atherosclerosis
Cardiomegaly
Coronary Artery Disease
Easy Bruising (Ecchymosis)
Hypertension
Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Nosebleeds, Unexplained

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM PROBLEMS
The following symptoms in this section may be present alone or in any
combination in celiac disease. They result from inflammation, damage,
and interference with normal function caused by gluten exposure in the digestive tract itself and/or nutritional deficiencies. As you see, problems can develop not only in the small intestine where inflammation can be intense, but also in other areas such as mucosal tissues of the mouth, esophagus, stomach and colon.

Abdominal Distention (Bloating)
Abdominal Pain
Adenocarcinoma of the Small Intestine
Aphthous Ulcers (Canker sores in mouth)
Autoimmune Cholangitis
Beta Casein Enteropathy (Cow’s dairy intolerance similar to celiac disease)
Bleeding, Unexplained
Cancer of the Esophagus
Cancer of the Pharynx
Candida Infections
Carbohydrate Malabsorption
Cheilosis (Red lips, cracking/ oozing at corners of mouth)
Colitis, Collagenous
Colitis, Lymphocytic
Colitis, Ulcerative
Colonic Volvulus (Loop of intestine twists causing strangulation of intestine)
Constipation
Constipation Alternating with Diarrhea
Crohn’s Disease
Defective Tooth Enamel (Yellow, white spots, missing enamel)
Delayed Gastric Emptying (Early fullness after eating)
Diarrhea, acute (Also called celiac crisis)
Diarrhea, chronic
Duodenal Erosions in the Second Part of Duodenum (Small ulcers)
Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing)
Edema of Small Intestinal Lining
Esophageal Small Cell Cancer
Esophageal Motor Abnormalities (Poor muscle activity/coordination)
Gas
Gastric Ulcer (Stomach ulcers)
Gastric Ulcerations
Gastritis, Collagenous
Gastritis, Lymphocytic
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastro-Intestinal Occult Bleeding (Blood in stool that is not visible to naked eye)
Gluten Sensitive Enteritis
Gums bleeding/ swollen (Purplish in adults/ red in children)
Heartburn
H. Pylori Bacter (Infection of the stomach)
Impaired Gall Bladder Motility
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Jejunitis, chronic
Lactose Intolerance (Gas, bloating, loose stools from milk)
Laryngospasm
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Lymphoma
Malabsorption of Nutrients
Maltose Intolerance (Gas, bloating, loose stools from maltose, a simple carbohydrate)
Nausea
Oral Mucosal Lesions (Mouth lesions)
Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
Post-cricoid Cancer
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (Bile backs up in liver)
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (Scarring of bile ducts in liver)
Small Bowel Intussusception (One loop of intestine slips into another)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Steatorrhea (Pale, smelly, floating stool hard to flush or sticks to toilet)
Sucrose Intolerance (Gas, bloating, mucous in stool from sugar)
Tongue (Beefy, red, smooth, burning)
Tongue (Fiery red, smooth, swollen, sore)
Tongue (Magenta, swollen)
Tongue (Pale, smooth, burning)
Vomiting

GLANDULAR SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of the glands.

Addison’s Disease (Adrenal gland failure)
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism)
Diabetes Mellitus Type I
Diabetic Instability
Gastro-Intestinal Complications of Type 1 Diabetes
Grave’s Disease (Hyperthyroidism)
Hepatic Granulomatous Disease
Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Pancreatic Insufficiency
Parathyroid Carcinoma
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Secondary Hypoparathyroidism

IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of antibody production.

Allergic Rhinitis
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders in Celiac Disease
Autoimmune Disorders in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes
Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Food Allergies, IgE and non-IgE Immune Responses
IgA Deficiency
Sarcoidosis
Sjögrens Syndrome
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Urticaria, chronic (Hives)

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of skin, hair, and nails.

Alopecia Areata (Patches of hair loss)
Alopecia, Diffuse (Balding)
Cutaneous Vasculitis
Cutis Laxa
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatomyositis
Eczema
Edema (Swelling)
Eythema Elevatum Diutinum
Erythema Nodosum
Follicular Hyperkeratosis (Dry rough skin/ plugged hair follicles on body)
Ichthyosis, Acquired
Itchy Skin Rash
Hangnail
Koilonychia (Thin nails that flatten, ends progressively turning up instead of down)
Melanoma
Nails, Dry and brittle that chip, peel, crack or break easily
Nails with Horizontal and Vertical Ridges/Fragile
Nail with Rounded and Curved Down Ends, Dark, Dry
Nails with White Spots
Nails with Splinter Hemorrhages
Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
Prurigo Nodularis (Hyde’s Prurigo)
Psoriasis
Scleroderma
Seborrhea
Thin hair
Vitiligo

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of the lymphocytes (white blood cells), lymph nodes
and spleen.

B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Cryptic Intestinal T-cell Lymphoma (Refractory Sprue)
Enteropathy Associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL)
Extraintestinal Lymphomas
Intraepithelial Lymphocytosis in Small Bowel Samples
Lymphadenopathy
Mesenteric Lymph Node Cavitation
Hyposplenism (Atrophy of spleen)

MUSCULAR SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of muscle structure and function.

Hypokalemic Rhabdomyolysis (Acute, severe potassium deficiency)
Muscle Pain and Tenderness
Muscle Spasm and Cramps
Muscle Wasting
Muscle Weakness
Osteomalacic Myopathy
Polymyositis
Tetany

NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of nerves, brain and spinal cord structure and function.

Anxiety
Apathy
Ataxia, Gait Disturbance
Ataxia, Gluten
Ataxia, Progressive Myoclonic
Brain Atrophy
Cerebral Perfusion Abnormalities (Poor blood flow)
Chonic Fatigue Syndrome
Chorea
Cortical Calcifying Angiomatosis
Dementia
Depression
Epilepsy
Fatigue/ Lassitude
Headache
Inability to Concentrate
Insomnia
Irritability
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Nervous System Disorders
Peripheral Neuropathy
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders
Tremors
Vasculitis of the Central Nervous System

PULMONARY SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of lung tissue and broncheal tree structure and function.

Bronchiectasis
Bronchial Pneumonia
Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis
Increased Pulmonary Permeability
Increased Susceptibility to Tuberculosis
Lung Cavities or Abcess
Non-Response to Tuberculosis Treatment
Pneumococcal Septicemia

SENSORY SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of sense organ structure and function.

Bitot’s Spots (Foamy patches on whites of eye)
Blepharitis
Bloodshot Eyes
Blurred Vision
Cataracts
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Keratomalacia
Nightblindness
Ocular Myopathy
Smell, Loss of
Taste, Loss of
Uveitis, Bilateral
Xerophthalmia

SKELETAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of bone, joints and teeth.

Bone Fracture
Bone Pain
Enteropathic Arthritis
Osteitis Fibrosa
Osteomalacia
Osteonecrosis
Osteoporosis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Recurrent Monoarthritis

URINARY SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Disorders of kidneys and urinaty tract structure and function.

Hypocalciuria
IgA Nephropathy
Kidney Stones
Urinary Tract Infection

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN FEMALES
Disorders of organ structure and function.

Amenorrhea (Absence of menstrual period)
Early Menopause
Infertility
Late Menarche (Late start of menstrual periods)
Premenstrual Syndrome
Dysmenorrhea (Painful menstrual periods)
Dyspareunia (Painful intercourse)
Vaginitis

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN MALES
Disorders of organ structure and function.

Hypogonadism
Impotence
Infertility
Sperm Abnormalities

REPRODUCTION: PREGNANCY, LABOR & DELIVERY AND
PUERPERIUM PROBLEMS
Disorders of childbearing.

Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy
Short Duration of Breast Feeding
Miscarriage
Complications During Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery
Complications After Childbirth

ZYGOTE DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS
Disorders of chromosomes.

Down Syndrome
Turner’s Syndrome

FETUS DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS
Disorders of that occur before birth of the child.

Congenital Anomalies
Intrauterine Growth Retardation
Cystic Fibrosis
Spina Bifida

CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS
Disorders of children that occur after birth.

Autism and Learning Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
Cancer Predisposition in Children
Chronic Bullous Dermatosis
Delayed Puberty in Boys
Delayed Puberty in Girls
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Developmental Delay
Failure to Thrive and Growth Retardation
Fecal Occult Blood (Blood found in stool that is not visible to the naked eye)
Glycogenic Acanthosis
Hypotonia
Juvenile Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Juvenile Diabetes Type 1
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Abnormal Blood Studies
Latent Anemia in Enzymopathies of Small Intestine (Lack of enzymes produced by villi)
Penicilllin V Impaired Absorption
Refractory Anemia (Unresponsive to iron therapy)
Osteopenia
Rickets
Short Staure
Stroke in Childhood
END_____________________________________________________

Here are some other ways to look at problems:

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Aloofness
Hyperactivity
Irritability (Common in children with celiac disease)
Impatience
Lack of Desire to Get Things Done
Lack of Feeling
Restlessness
Timid Behavior
Violent Behavior

NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES

Anxiety
Apathy
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Difficulty Making Friendships
Easy Frustration and Anger
Nervousness
Panic Attacks
Sense of Worthlessness
Overly Self-critical
Hysteria
Hypochondria

THINKING PROBLEMS

Confused/ Faulty Thinking
Confabulation
Delusions
Dementia
Disorientation
Faulty Learning
Hallucination
Inattentiveness
Loss of Memory
Loss of Immediate Memory
Poor Memory
Reduced Learning
Slow Thinking
Scattered Thinking

Main | About GFWorks | Gluten Disorders | Diet | Healing Guide | GF Store
Discussion Forum | GF Resources | Disclaimer | Shipping, Returns & Privacy Policies

All information and images Copyright © Gluten Free Works, Inc.

Photo courtesy National Cancer Institute