Celiac disease
Last updated: 23 Jan. 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the Elfcare quality team
Feeling tired more often than usual? Maybe you’ve noticed occasional bloating, gas after meals, or unexplained changes in your digestion. These could be harmless, but they might also point to something worth understanding better: Celiac disease.
Celiac disease is a condition where your body reacts to gluten, a protein found primarily in wheat, barley, and rye, in a way that affects your small intestine. Many people live with mild or vague symptoms and never realise what’s happening beneath the surface. That’s why early detection through simple checks and blood tests can make a big difference.
Book your consultation to test your health
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system misidentifies gluten as a threat and triggers an inflammatory reaction in the small intestine.
What happens inside your body:
You eat something containing gluten (from wheat, barley, or rye).
In genetically predisposed individuals, the immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine.
The tiny finger-like projections that absorb nutrients, called villi, become damaged.
This reduces absorption of key nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D.
Because your gut plays a central role in nutrition, immunity, and metabolism, disruptions can ripple into other areas of health, from energy levels to mood and bone strength. In short: Celiac disease doesn’t just affect digestion. It impacts how your body absorbs and uses nutrients that fuel your entire system.
What is celiac disease?
Common symptoms of celiac disease
Recognising early symptoms helps with timely testing and prevention.
Common symptoms
Bloating or stomach swelling
Gas or flatulence after meals
Diarrhoea or constipation
Abdominal discomfort or cramping
Unexplained tiredness or fatigue
Iron-deficiency anaemia (feeling cold, pale, or weak)
Unintended weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight
Less common / long-term signs
Bone or joint pain (from low calcium or vitamin D)
Skin issues (such as a persistent rash)
Mood changes or brain fog
Other autoimmune conditions (e.g. thyroid issues)
Because these signs often overlap with other conditions like IBS or general fatigue, testing is key to getting clarity.
Celiac disease develops through a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors:
Genetic predisposition: Most people with celiac disease carry HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 gene variants.
Autoimmune reaction: The immune system attacks intestinal tissue after gluten exposure.
Environmental triggers: Infections, surgeries, or major diet changes can sometimes act as catalysts.
Risk factors
Having a close relative (parent, sibling, or child) with celiac disease
Being female (the condition is more common in women)
Living with other autoimmune conditions
Occurring at any age, though often diagnosed in adulthood
Awareness = Empowerment. Recognising early signals means you can discuss testing with your healthcare provider before major symptoms appear.
Causes and risk factors
How is celiac disease detected?
Testing focuses on detecting specific biomarkers in the blood that reflect immune reactions and nutrient absorption.
Key biomarkers include:
tTG-IgA (tissue transglutaminase IgA): Main screening test for immune response to intestinal repair enzymes
EMA (endomysial antibodies, IgA): Confirms positive findings from tTG-IgA
DGP-IgG / DGP-IgA: Useful if IgA deficiency is present
Total IgA: Ensures IgA-based tests are valid
Nutrient markers (iron, folate, B12, vitamin D, calcium): Reflect absorption efficiency in the gut
A comprehensive interpretation looks at:
Whether celiac-specific antibodies are elevated
If total IgA is normal (for test reliability)
Whether nutrient levels suggest malabsorption
Clinical context, symptoms, diet, and family history
Why early detection matters
Celiac disease often develops slowly and silently. Detecting early imbalances can prevent long-term complications.
Early insight helps maintain balance instead of reacting after damage occurs.
Restoring gut health early supports energy, mood, and immunity.
Awareness leads to better conversations with your doctor and prevents nutrient deficiencies.
Elfcare’s blood tests measure not only nutrient status (iron, folate, B12, vitamin D) but also immune and absorption biomarkers so you can spot subtle imbalances before they affect your daily life.
How Elfcare can help
At Elfcare, we focus on preventive, empowering health checks that help you understand what’s happening inside your body before symptoms become serious.
Our panels include testing for celiac-specific antibodies and dozens of markers like vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, and iron metabolism, all of which reflect gut-absorption performance and overall nutrient status.
We pair results with expert review to give you:
A clear snapshot of your internal health
Practical next steps for discussion with your healthcare provider
By identifying early signs of celiac disease, you can decide on the right next steps together with your healthcare provider.
Summary
Celiac disease is more common than many realise, and many adults live with subtle or mild symptoms for years. Early detection matters because gut health underpins energy, immunity, and long-term well-being.
By recognising signs, understanding causes, and choosing proactive detection through Elfcare’s health checks, you take charge of your health journey. We’re here to support that journey, with clear insights, compassionate guidance, and a preventive approach that helps you thrive.
Last updated: 23 Jan. 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the quality team at Elfcare
FAQs
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system reacts to gluten and damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage affects the villi, which are responsible for absorbing essential nutrients. As a result, celiac disease can impact energy levels, immunity, and overall health — not just digestion.
What are the most common symptoms of celiac disease?
Symptoms can include bloating, gas after meals, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or constipation, and unexplained fatigue. Some people also experience iron-deficiency anaemia, weight changes, or brain fog. Because symptoms are often mild or nonspecific, many people live with the condition without realising it.
What causes celiac disease?
Celiac disease develops from a combination of genetic predisposition, immune system reactions, and environmental triggers. Most people with the condition carry specific genes, such as HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8. Gluten exposure then triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine.
How is celiac disease detected?
Detection is primarily done through blood tests that measure celiac-specific antibodies and assess nutrient absorption. Key markers include tTG-IgA, EMA, DGP antibodies, total IgA, and nutrient levels such as iron, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D. These tests help identify immune reactions and early signs of malabsorption.