May is Coeliac Awareness Month, an important opportunity to raise awareness of coeliac disease, improve understanding of its symptoms, and encourage those who may be affected to seek a diagnosis. At Love Free From, we're passionate about supporting the gluten free community and helping people navigate life with coeliac disease.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition where the body's immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When someone with coeliac disease consumes gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine, damaging the gut and reducing the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Coeliac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK, yet many cases remain undiagnosed. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to help prevent long term health complications.
Common Symptoms of Coeliac Disease
One of the challenges of coeliac disease is that symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some people experience severe digestive symptoms, while others may have no obvious digestive issues at all.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Bloating and excessive wind
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and low energy
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Mouth ulcers
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes, including dermatitis herpetiformis
Children may also experience delayed growth, weight loss, behavioural changes, or difficulty gaining weight.
If you regularly experience these symptoms, it's worth discussing them with your GP.
How is Coeliac Disease Diagnosed?
If you suspect you may have coeliac disease, it's important not to remove gluten from your diet before testing, as this can affect the accuracy of the results.
Diagnosis usually involves:
1. Blood Tests
A GP can arrange blood tests to check for antibodies that are commonly found in people with coeliac disease.
2. Referral to a Specialist
If blood tests suggest coeliac disease, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist for further investigation.
3. Endoscopy and Biopsy
Many adults will undergo an endoscopy, where small tissue samples are taken from the small intestine to check for damage caused by gluten.
A confirmed diagnosis is important as it helps ensure appropriate treatment and ongoing support.
Living with Coeliac Disease
Currently, the only treatment for coeliac disease is a strict lifelong gluten free diet. This means avoiding foods and drinks containing wheat, barley and rye.
While this may initially feel overwhelming, the availability of high quality gluten free products has improved dramatically in recent years. From breads and pasta to snacks and sweet treats, there are now more delicious options than ever before.
Learning to read food labels, understanding cross-contamination risks, and finding trusted gluten free brands can make a significant difference to everyday life.
Where to Find Help and Support
Receiving a coeliac diagnosis can bring relief, but it can also raise many questions. Fortunately, there is plenty of support available.
Coeliac UK
Coeliac UK is the leading charity for people living with coeliac disease in the UK. They provide trusted information on diagnosis, gluten-free living, food labelling, eating out, and ongoing support for individuals and families.
Many newly diagnosed people find their resources invaluable when adjusting to a gluten-free lifestyle.
Speak to Your Healthcare Team
Your GP, specialist consultant, and dietitian can all provide guidance on managing coeliac disease and maintaining a balanced diet.
Join the Gluten Free Community
Connecting with others who live gluten free can be incredibly helpful. Online groups, social media communities, and specialist subscription services can offer recommendations, product discoveries, recipes and practical advice.
How Love Free From Supports the Coeliac Community
At Love Free From, we're committed to helping make gluten free living easier, tastier and more enjoyable. We carefully select products suitable for those following a gluten free lifestyle and work with trusted brands to introduce exciting new discoveries to our community.
Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been gluten-free for years, we're here to help you discover products you can enjoy with confidence.
Raising Awareness This Coeliac Awareness Month
Coeliac Awareness Month is about more than raising awareness—it's about encouraging earlier diagnosis, improving understanding, and supporting everyone affected by coeliac disease.
If you recognise any of the symptoms mentioned above or have concerns about your health, speak to your GP. Earlier diagnosis can help prevent complications and improve quality of life.
Together, we can help create a better understanding of coeliac disease and support a thriving gluten free community.