Celiac Disease

Many people are sensitive to gluten, the protein found in wheat and other grains. You may experience abdominal pain, gas and bloating or fatigue when you eat wheat or other grains. Other symptoms can include a foggy head, joint pain, itchy blistery skin or numbness in the feet and hands.

We can help diagnose gluten sensitivity and celiac disease at Guthrie gastroenterology. 

What is celiac disease?

For some, eating gluten can cause the body to trigger an immune response in the small intestine. This can cause damage to the lining of the intestine and prevent the absorption of nutrients.

How is celiac disease diagnosed?

Before trying to eliminate gluten on your own, consult your doctor. It’s important to be tested while you are still eating gluten in order to get accurate results.

Tests for celiac disease include two blood tests: serology testing and genetic testing. If results are positive, your doctor may order an endoscopy to assess the damage done to the intestine by the disease.

Celiac disease runs in families. Ask your doctor to be tested for the condition if someone in your family is diagnosed with the disease.

How is celiac disease treated?

Celiac disease cannot be cured but can be managed through a strict gluten-free diet. Guthrie offers nutritional counseling and helps identify other sources of gluten in medications and non-food products.

Foods that contain gluten include:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Bulgar
• Durham
• Farina
• Graham flour
• Malt
• Rye
• Semolina
• Spelt (a form of wheat)
• Triticale