Anaemia - anaemia, is the presence of insufficient haemoglobin and/or red blood cells in the blood. This results in weakness, pallor and fainting, among other things. However, few people know that anaemia can be caused by coeliac disease - an autoimmune reaction to gluten that causes the body to not fully absorb nutrients.
Not just anaemia: other symptoms of coeliac disease
Coeliac disease can present in several forms, none of which produce symptoms characteristic enough to recognise the disease right away. The overt form of coeliac disease occurs in about 10% of sufferers and manifests itself with symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract , including diarrhoea, flatulence or abdominal pain. It is therefore often confused with other intestinal disorders or food allergies.
Patients with coeliac disease mostly suffer from its hidden form, which can cause a whole spectrum of symptoms. These include, in addition to anaemia, e.g. aphthous mouth, underdevelopment of dental enamel, fatigue, headaches, skin problems or pain in bones, muscles and joints.
Untreated coeliac disease causes infertility, miscarriages and cancer
Untreated coeliac disease - that is, failure to adhere to a gluten-free diet - can cause very serious health consequences. In addition to unpleasant symptoms and associated diseases, cancers (especially of the digestive system), infertility or miscarriages, and depression can occur.
It is worth knowing that coeliac disease is dangerous especially for pregnant women, as it causes malnutrition not only for the mother but also for the baby. As a result, women with coeliac disease are more likely to experience early termination of pregnancy, lower birth weight of the baby or even death of the newborn.
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How do you detect celiac disease? First, do a DNA test
Coeliac disease is a genetic condition for which specific genes are responsible. For this reason, it is best to start the diagnosis with a simple DNA test for coeliac disease, which will detect the possible presence of the HLA DQ2 and/or HLA DQ8 genes. If it turns out to be positive, a blood test for IgG and IgA antibodies should be realised. A two-way test will show whether the disease is active.
It is worth realising, however, that the mere presence of the genes responsible for coeliac disease does not determine that the disease is developing. As much as 30% of the population has these genes - it is worth repeating the blood test regularly to be sure of your health. The negative result of the DNA test, however, is a certainty that celiac disease does not occur or will never occur in a given person, so you can gain peace of mind.
