Warning signs you may unknowingly have an autoimmune disease – from fatigue to bloating

A doctor has issued a warning about five red flag signs that could mean you have an autoimmune disease. With next week marking Celiac Awareness Week (May 15-21), people are being informed about the symptoms and when they should see a GP.

According to Celiac UK, one in 100 people in the UK have celiac disease, but only 36% are diagnosed. Selph, which provides home health testing kits, has revealed the five “lesser known” signs of the disease that could lead to a “silent celiac” diagnosis.

Studies have also shown that 75% of Britons with celiac disease don’t realize they have it. Data also shows that a third of people who have it, have no symptoms at all.

What is celiac disease

Dr Alasdair Scott, gut health specialist at Selph, explains: “Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, where something triggers an immune response in your body against itself. In the case of celiac disease, gluten is the trigger. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

“Gluten itself is harmless and most of us can eat it without any problems. However, in about one in 100 people, gluten triggers the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine, causing inflammation.

“Celiac disease can affect you at any age, although the most common age to be diagnosed is between 30 and 50. It affects both sexes, but women are more likely to be diagnosed with celiac disease than men. You are also more likely to have celiac disease if someone else in your family has it.

“About two-thirds of people with celiac disease have common symptoms. These include diarrhea, weight loss, stomach pain, bloating and flatulence, greasy stools and fatigue.

“However, although two-thirds of people with the disease show symptoms, this still leaves a large number of people who do not have them. This is called “silent celiac disease.”

What is “silent celiac disease” and how to detect it

Dr. Scott explains, “Silent celiac disease can be difficult to detect because, by definition, you don’t have any of the common celiac symptoms. However, there are often more subtle signs that can indicate celiac disease.”

To help Brits spot the signs of ‘silent celiac disease’, Dr Scott shares five key signs to look out for:

“Celiac disease affects iron absorption, and it is not uncommon for iron deficiency anemia to be the only sign of a problem in people with celiac disease. Signs of anemia include very pale skin, a constant, unexplained lack of energy, and general feelings of weakness in the body.”

“Celiac disease affects the absorption of vitamin D and calcium, both of which are crucial for bone health. Indications of low bone density include back pain, which could be caused by a broken or collapsed bone in the spine, a slouched posture, or a bone that breaks more easily than expected.”

“The disease can also affect nerve fibers, causing abnormalities of sensation or pins and needles. This mainly affects the arms and legs, so if you feel an unusual tingling sensation, it’s best to get it checked out.”

“Many women with celiac disease have a history of infertility. In a study of women investigated for infertility, 3% were found to have celiac disease. Although there are many reasons why infertility can happen, it’s a good idea to get tested for celiac disease if you’re struggling to conceive.”

“About 1 in 10 people with celiac disease have an itchy, bumpy rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. These small, clustered papules and vesicles usually erupt on the elbows, knees, buttocks, back, or scalp. They can also sometimes appear on the face and groin.”

Dr Scott adds: “You may be wondering whether or not you have celiac disease. After all, those who have celiac symptoms mostly struggle with diarrhea, stomach pain, and bloating.

“This is because irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes exactly the same symptoms. In fact, 36% of people with celiac disease were misdiagnosed with IBS before their celiac diagnosis.”

How to find out if you have celiac disease

“The bottom line is, if you want to know if you have celiac disease, you need to get a blood test for celiac disease, and you need to get one sooner rather than later.” adds Dr. Scott.

“If this blood test is negative and you had gluten in your diet in the weeks before the test, you can be sure that you do not have celiac disease. On the other hand, if the antibody level is high, you are very likely to have celiac disease.

“If you have celiac disease, the main treatment is to follow a gluten-free diet. This means eliminating any foods that contain wheat, barley or rye. This includes bread, pasta, cookies and even beer. The good news is that a gluten-free diet will allow your gut to heal completely, and you should have no symptoms or complications from celiac disease.”