Celiac Disease Is Clinical Chameleon

as the Chameleon. That’s because celiac disease can masquerade under the guise of so many other conditions.
It’s frequently misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, anemia, dermatitis, depression or even dementia. Many patients suffer for years or even decades without diagnosis or treatment.
No one understands the exact cause of celiac disease, but scientists know it is an autoimmune gastrointestinal disorder triggered by gluten found in wheat, barley and rye. When a susceptible person eats a bagel, drinks a beer, or has a piece or cake, the lining of the small intestine is damaged.
Over time this injury interferes with the absorption of nutrients. A person suffering from celiac disease can become starved for vitamins and minerals. Even though they may eat a perfectly balanced diet, patients are often low in iron, calcium, B vitamins and other essential nutrients.
American doctors have traditionally been taught that celiac disease is extremely rare, affecting only about 1 person in 5,000. As a result, they often consider other diagnoses first, which can be frustrating for patients like this reader:
“I suffered from abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea as well as joint pain for over ten years. Three different doctors told me that I suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, with symptoms mild enough to be controlled with over the counter drugs, meditation and other stress reduction techniques.
“My last physician told me that she suspected rheumatoid arthritis because of the joint pain. If it continued for a few more months she’d put me on steroids. At age 30!
“I specifically asked if these problems could be food related, and no one thought they were. Finally I was bedridden four days out of seven with severe abdominal pain and woke each morning with knees so stiff and sore that walking was a chore for the first ten minutes of the day. I consulted a naturopathic doctor who discovered I am sensitive to gluten. Within three days of cutting wheat from my diet, I was a new woman, with no joint or abdominal pain!”
Recent research suggests that celiac disease is far more common than previously thought. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (June 19, 2003) found a prevalence of 1 in 99 among more than 3,000 Finnish school children. A few months ago, a comparable prevalence of 1 in 133 was found among Americans without symptoms or relatives with celiac disease (Arch. Intern. Med. Feb. 10, 2003).
New blood tests (TTG and EMA) allow physicians a much easier method of diagnosing this condition than in the past. Since the treatment is a strict diet, patients should not have to take powerful medications that have potential side effects.
We recently conducted a radio interview with one of the world’s leading experts on celiac disease. If you would like up-to-date information on this condition and its treatment, you may order a CD of People’s Pharmacy Show # 455 ($15 at 800-732-2334). For millions of Americans, a diagnosis of celiac disease could explain mysterious symptoms and put an end to suffering.