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 realize 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

Symptoms can range from gastrointestinal, to skin problems, to hormone imbalances, to neurological effects.

Gastrointestinal

Bloating

Abdominal Distension (belly protrudes and is hard, looks
like you've gained 2 sizes)

Indigestion (frequent burping, loud intestinal gurgling, acid reflux, heartburn) Malodorous Frequent Gas

Malodorous Light, Chalky or Clay Colored Stool

Steatorrhea (stools that float and are difficult to flush)

Frequent Cramping Pain in stomach or intestinal area

Frequent Diarrhea or Consitpation

Malabsorption Related

Cracks at corners of mouth

Suddenly very dry lips (peeling)

Canker Sores (mouth sores)

Tooth Enamel Defects and/or Discoloration

Frequent Dental Caries

Failure to Thrive in Babies and Children

Short Stature in Adults

Osteoporosis or Osteopenia

Peripheral Neuropathy (frequent pins and needles, or tingling or numbness in hands or feet)

Muscular/Skeletal

Fatigue-Excessive or Chronic Fatigue with little activity

Muscle weakness or pain

Aching Joints or Bones

Ataxia-Gait instability, including weaving, uncoordinated walking, and balance problems

Frequent Migraines

Skin Problems

Rashes-(hot flushes, itchy rashes, boils, hives)

Eczema

Psoriasis

Dermatitis Herpetiformis-Rash linked to Celiac Disease

Neurological

Hyperactivity

Irritability

Moodiness, swinging from one extreme to another

Depression

Hormonal/Miscellaneous Symptoms

Delayed Puberty

Miscarriage

Infertility

Irregular Menstruation

Sudden weight changes, 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.

More Symptom Pages

List of Foods to Avoid

to Malabsorption

to Vitamin B Defiency

to B12 Deficiency Continued

to Vitamin D Level

to Vitamin D Levels, page 2

to Vitamin D Osteoporosis, page 3

to Gluten Intolerance Symptoms 1

Intolerance Symptoms 2

Intolerance Symptoms 3

Intolerance Symptoms 4

to Gluten Free Diet Help Home Page