Do you have Hashimoto's, type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? You may also have celiac disease - a permanent intolerance to gluten that often co-occurs with these diseases. Untreated celiac disease can both exacerbate the symptoms of other conditions and prevent them from being treated. To find out if you need a gluten-free diet, take a simple DNA test.
Autoimmune diseases and coeliac disease - often co-occur
This is shown by numerous studies conducted in many countries, also in Poland. The statistics are clear: celiac disease is as much as 10 times more common in Hashimoto's patients than in others. It can also be present in 15% of patients with type 1 diabetes. People with RA, vitiligo, alopecia areata or psoriasis, among others, are also more likely to have coeliac disease. All these diseases are also genetically determined.
Coeliac disease causes deficiencies and prevents the absorption of drugs
The ingestion of gluten in celiac disease triggers an attack by the body on the intestinal villi - the organ that is responsible for absorbing nutrients. If the villi are damaged, they cannot absorb the substances supplied to them with food and medication.
This results in dangerous vitamin and mineral deficiencies that prevent the body from functioning properly. Moreover, it is also impossible to effectively treat a co-occurring disease, as the villi do not absorb active substances from medication.
Fatigue, loss of energy and aphthae are just some of the symptoms of coeliac disease
If untreated, coeliac disease can manifest as fatigue or insomnia, anaemia, lack of energy, decreased libido, headaches, fertility problems, menstrual disorders in women, skin problems, mouth sores or atrophy of tooth enamel, among others. Some patients may also experience gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain or bloating.
photo: panthermedia
Furthermore, symptoms thought to be those of Hashimoto's or type 1 diabetes may in fact be associated with coeliac disease.
Do you have an autoimmune disease? Have a DNA test for coeliac disease
This is what the ESPGHTN N (European Society for Paediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) recommends. Celiac disease can only occur if the HLA DQ2 and/or HLA DQ8 genes are present. If you do not have these, you also do not have coeliac disease and will never get it. If, on the other hand, they are present in you, you need to check (with an antibody test) whether the disease is active.
It is worth choosing a genetic test that tests not only for the presence of the genes responsible for coeliac disease, but also for the HLA DR4 gene.This is found in many other autoimmune diseases.
Gluten-free diet - the way forward for coeliac disease
If tests confirm that you have coeliac disease, it will be necessary to eliminate gluten completely. It will then become possible to rebuild the intestinal mucosa and make up for deficiencies, thus relieving you of unpleasant symptoms. You will also start to absorb substances from medication - and the therapy for your current autoimmune disease will finally become effective.