Gluten Allergy and Celiac Disease are two different things. It would seem that proof reading is a thing of the past.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder, not an allergy. Come on, folks, do some basic fact-checking.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder, not a "gluten allergy." Come on, folks, do some basic fact-checking.

 Celiac Disease is not an allergy, it is an autoimmune disorder.

Interesting that I know a young woman just diagnosed with Celiac. She had been having health problems and difficulty getting pregnant for several years, and until her current pregnancy problems, they never bothered to check to check for Celiac.

Thyroid problems, another autoimmune disorder, also cause preterm births and miscarriages. I wouldn't be surprised if there are other autoimmune diseases that also do. Too many times, women's health issues are written off as emotional instead of diagnosed.

I was diagnosed with celiac just over a year ago, after going a full year without periods at 37. I do seem to be heading into early menopause based on some tests, but 3 weeks into GF eating I had my first period in a year! I had joint pain, mental fog, depression and it all resolved with a GF diet. I did not have GI issues so I'm very happy my Naturopath recognized the connecetion. I do also have Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease.

first off, I have gluten intolerance, but do not have celiac disease.

secondly, blood tests for gluten allergy or celiac disease may be the quickest way to find out, but they're not always accurate.

going through an elimination diet is the way to determine which food triggers the allergy or intolerance. I was without bread, pasta for 4 weeks and re-introducing them back in made me feel bloated, tired, and gassy within a half hour! and determining gluten intolerance or allergy may take time but is more accurate than blood tests.

Celiac disease is at the extreme end of a long spectrum of gluten sensitivity. Someone might be gluten sensitive without having celiac disease. That person would have a lot of the health problems, including one or more autoimmune diseases, as the celiac. I am gluten sensitive and suffered with anemia for many years; two years ago I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. My gastroenterologist told me that I did not have celiac and did not need to change my diet. Fortunately, I decided that a gluten free diet was the way to go. I began seeing a Naturopathic doctor and he found that I was also sensitive to soy. My health has improved drastically since being on a gluten-free, soy-free diet - liver enzymes are back to normal, iron levels are normal, and I have much more energy. I also use probiotics, vitamin D (2,000 iu/day), lots of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

I personally know all of the effects of Celiacs. It is a disease. Can be described no other way. You are not just allergic to gluton...I am also lactose and soy intolerant. I cannot eat any processed foods that have any '-ose' in them. My mom was sick for 20+ years with it and it was never diagnosed. It was not until I kept a food journal and took it to my gastroenterologist that they knew what was wrong with me and tested me. They concluded that it is also what my mother died from (an undiagnosed case) and so they tested my sisters and I. We all have it. My younger sister is the most extreme, like my mother. She also has lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, along with a protein allergy. She cannot eat any red meat...puts her in the hospital if it is even cooked on the same grill as her chicken. She gets migraines that are absolutely debilitating. All are side effects of Celiacs.

There is almost always a 'false negative' test. Request a 2nd test! It is a more reliable test but more expensive...which is why they don't do it the first time.

Also a celiac, I must add that the definitive test for the disease, after the blood tests (and make sure you're getting the right one!), is an endoscopy. The lining of the small intestine will give the ultimate diagnosis.

The most commonly given blood test looks for active celiac. Then there's the genetic test, which immediate family members should have. There's a 3rd, but I do not recall it's focus.

10% of celiacs also have skin problems- raised spots that itch and are somewhat painful. They take a long time to go away, as they originate from deeper within. This is called Dermatitis Herpatiformus. (sp?). Undiagnosed celiac can lead to a host of other life-threatening illnesses. Since 1 out of approximately 130 people have celiac, and 97% don't know it, the blood test(s) should become a standard on everyone's routine physicals, at least once.

I have celiac disease, diagnosed 2 years ago, finally, after years of problems. One other thing connected to this disease is osteoporosis or osteopenia. Many are also lactose intolerant.Thyroid problems are also connected. I did have early menopause that hit me like a Mack truck! It's essential to stick to the diet very strictly; even a tiny amount of gluten causes intestinal inflammation. I would urge anyone with this condition to do your research and know all the other things you need to avoid besides just wheat. And to read labels, always read the labels!