What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease can affect people in many different ways, and everyone’s experience with it is unique. When I was first diagnosed, I had a lot to learn — about gluten, cross-contamination, and how to manage daily life on a gluten-free diet. Over time, I’ve gathered information, tips, and resources that have helped me and might help others too.

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2018, just four days before Christmas. The diagnosis can be a relief for some people and overwhelming for others. For me, it was a shock, as I had no obvious stomach symptoms. You can read my story here.

This page gives a brief introduction to coeliac disease — what it is, how it affects the body, and how it’s managed. You’ll also find links to my blog posts where I share more detailed information, personal experiences, and practical tips for living gluten-free, along with links to trusted websites for further support and guidance.

What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body reacts to gluten — a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. When gluten is eaten, the immune system damages the small intestine.

The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like villi that absorb nutrients from food. In coeliac disease, these villi become flattened, so the body can’t take in nutrients properly. This can lead to illness and nutritional deficiencies.

The only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet. It can feel confusing at first, but with time and practice, it usually becomes much easier to manage.

What is coeliac disease. This image has a diagram of the villi in the small intestine which are damaged by gluten.

Symptoms of Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease affects people in many different ways. For some, it mainly causes digestive problems, while others — like me — have little or no stomach symptoms at all. When someone has coeliac disease but no obvious digestive issues, it’s often called silent coeliac disease.

Digestive symptoms may include:

Diarrhoea or constipation
Nausea or vomiting
Bloating, wind, or indigestion
Stomach pain or discomfort

Other common symptoms:

Fatigue and low energy
Headaches or brain fog
Mouth ulcers
Joint, muscle, or nerve pain
Itchy rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
Low mood or irritability

In children:

Coeliac disease can affect growth and development. It may cause poor weight gain, short stature, delayed puberty, or general irritability.

Long-term effects (if untreated):

If coeliac disease is left undiagnosed or unmanaged, damage to the small intestine can lead to:

A small increased risk of certain intestinal cancers
Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies
Anaemia caused by low iron, B12, or folate
Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
Fertility problems
Nerve damage
A small increased risk of certain intestinal cancers

After diagnosis:

Once gluten is removed from the diet, most people start to feel better as the intestine heals and nutrient absorption improves. Some symptoms can take weeks or months to fully resolve, but recovery is possible with a strict gluten-free diet.

Testing

Testing usually begins with a blood test to check for antibodies linked to coeliac disease. If the results suggest coeliac disease, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy, where small samples of the small intestine are taken to confirm the diagnosis.

In some areas, testing methods have evolved. If blood test results are very high, a second blood test may be done, and in certain cases, a gastroenterologist can make a diagnosis without an endoscopy. This approach can vary between countries, and even between regions within the UK.

To ensure accurate results, it’s important to keep eating gluten before testing — usually for at least six weeks. Stopping gluten too early can lead to a false negative.

Gluten Free Diet

After a diagnosis of coeliac disease, the only effective treatment is a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods that contain wheat, barley, rye, and regular oats (unless labeled gluten free).

It’s also important to avoid foods that may contain gluten, such as processed foods with hidden ingredients, sauces, or shared kitchen items. Careful food preparation is essential to prevent cross-contamination and keep your diet truly gluten free.

With time and practice, managing a gluten-free diet becomes easier, and many people find it helps improve symptoms and overall health.

Links to Coeliac Disease Posts on My Blog

I’ve written several posts about living with coeliac disease, and I’ll keep adding more — so check back regularly!

Gluten-Free Food Needs to Be More Affordable – A comparison chart showing the cost of gluten-free vs regular food and why Coeliac UK is campaigning for fairer prices.
Myths About Coeliac Disease – Demolishing common myths, including misconceptions about gluten and fad diets.
How to Understand Food Labels – Essential tips for reading labels to stay safe with coeliac disease or any food allergy.
How to Avoid Cross-Contamination – Why even a single grain of flour can cause problems and how to prevent it.
Eating Out Safely – Tips for ensuring food is safe when dining away from home.
What is Life Like with Coeliac Disease? – My personal story about diagnosis and adapting to a gluten-free lifestyle.
How to Keep a Diary – Keeping a food or symptom diary can be a helpful tool, especially before diagnosis.
Glebe Farm Gluten-Free Oats – A review of the UK company producing safe gluten-free oats.
Gluten-Free Haggis – A review and a few recipe ideas so you don’t have to give up the foods you love.