A 21-year-old member asked:
How are gluten intolerance and celiac disease different?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Celiac is an allergy: Celiac disease is gluten allergy, a strong allergic reaction to gluten (a protein in grains such as wheat, barley, malted barley, rye, spelt, etc...). Gluten intolerance is not an allergic reaction, but an intolerance of gluten that leads to tummy symptoms such as gassiness, bloating, loose stools, etc... Gluten intolerance does not cause damage to the intestinal lining like celiac disease does.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael P Vaughn commented
Allergy and Immunology 36 years experience
The NIH considers "gluten intolerance" a synonym for Celiac disease. Celiac disease damages the intestinal lining and can cause physical symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea and lead to malabsorption / malnutrition. Persons can also have allergic antibodies (IgE) to wheat without having celiac disease. Treatment is avaoidance.
Sep 22, 2011
Dr. Luis Matosanswered
Pediatric Allergy and Asthma 47 years experience
No difference: You can split hairs and say that if you have chronic diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition when eating foods with gluten, that you have celiac disease and any milder symptoms of bloating, recurrent abdominal pain etc that you have gluten intolerance but the solution to both is a gluten free diet.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
I have gluten intolerance; but does this mean I have celiac disease?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Martin Friedanswered
Nutrition 38 years experience
NO: An intolerance is different from an autoimmune disease. Celiac is an autoimmune disease where antibodies attack the lining of the intestines. In both cases, you will stay away from wheat gluten, but they are not the same process. You can be tested for celiac by a blood test and an endoscopic biopsy.
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5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
How can you treat gluten intolerance and celiac disease?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Zacharisenanswered
Allergy and Immunology 35 years experience
Avoidance: Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease and gluten issues is to eliminate gluten containing foods (wheat and other grains) from the diet completely and indefinitely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 44-year-old member asked:
How are gluten intolerance and celiac disease diagnosed?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Blood test or biopsy: Tests for celiac disease include blood antibody tests, looking for tissue transglutaminase antibody (ttg iga) and other antibodies. Small intestine biopsy by using an endoscope through the mouth, can accurately diagnose celiac disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
What happens if I have gluten intolerance, do I have celiac disease?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Selteranswered
Pediatrics - Allergy & Asthma 39 years experience
Maybe: While oftentime the 2 terms are used interchangeably, there are many patients who do have issues due to gluten ingestion but do not have full blown celiac disease. Typically patients complain of bloating, diarrhea, rashes, itchy skin, failure to thrive after eating barley, rye, wheat and other similar products that contain gluten. Best to consult a GI doc and a good dietician.
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3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Whats the difference between gluten intolerance and celiac disease?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Murphyanswered
Allergy and Immunology 31 years experience
Probably the same: The way these terms are used they are probably the same thing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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