So, how do you know which one you may have?
This article explores everything you gotta know about the differences, their signs and symptoms, and more.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
What Is a Gluten Intolerance?
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
Gluten intolerance involves the digestive tract and can cause digestive problems.
Its estimated to affect 1 in 100 people globally.
Celiac Disease Symptoms
Celiac disease can affect people differently, making it difficult to identify.
Some people have no symptoms, while others have many.
Children and infants tend to have more digestive symptoms compared to adults.
Similarities
Both celiac disease and gluten intolerance involve gluten and the digestive tract.
Differences
Testing is required to tell the difference between celiac disease and a gluten intolerance.
The medically correct terms are gluten sensitivity, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or non-celiac wheat sensitivity.
However, gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity are often used interchangeably and usually refer to the same thing.
Can a Gluten Intolerance or Sensitivity Turn Into Celiac?
Celiac disease runs in families and can develop at any age after someone starts consuming gluten.
Celiac disease can develop at any time across the lifespan.
If you dont test positive for any of the conditions tested for, you may have a gluten intolerance.
Your healthcare provider may order additional blood tests.
An endoscopy and/or intestinal biopsy may be needed.
If negative for celiac disease, the family member should then repeat the test every three to five years.
At-Home Tests
Several at-home antibody tests are available for celiac disease.
These tests can offer a convenient first step in identifying what might be causing your symptoms.
However, they are not meant to be diagnostic.
They can help provide any additional testing and, if needed, set out a care plan.
Avoidingcross-contaminationat home and in restaurants may also be necessary to prevent accidentally ingesting gluten.
These are short-chain carbohydrates that can cause symptoms in people withirritable bowel syndrome(IBS).
Should I Start a Gluten-Free Diet?
There may also be non-GI symptoms present.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and damages villi on the lining of the small intestine.
People with gluten intolerance do not test positive for celiac disease but still have symptoms when consuming gluten.
Testing for celiac disease usually involves blood tests, an endoscopy, and intestinal biopsy.
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Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of celiac disease.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease tests.
University of Chicago Medicine.Celiac disease screening and diagnosis.
Aljada B, Zohni A, El-Matary W.The gluten-free diet for celiac disease and beyond.Nutrients.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for irritable bowel syndrome.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for celiac disease.
