Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body is unable to digest wheat properly. The immune system sees these particles and the body’s own immune system as invaders and attacks them. This results in the destruction of the lining of the small intestine and a large number of symptoms ranging from skin problems to diarrhea and a number of more serious complications. It is because of these serious complications that a celiac patient must learn to eat a diet that is gluten free, most of these complications will be eliminated or greatly improved with a strict adherence to their diet.

Malnutrition is the most common and one of the more serious side effects of celiac disease. Because the villi of the small intestine have been destroyed by celiac disease, no matter how healthy a person might eat, the nutrients in the food are unable to be absorbed. This complication can cause severe weight loss, anemia and a number of vitamin deficiencies that can cause neurological symptoms, low bone density and fatigue just to name a few things.

Because of the inability to absorb vitamins people with untreated celiac disease are prone to diseases that are a result of insufficient levels of calcium and vitamin D such as rickets, kidney stones, osteomalacia, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Thankfully once a gluten free diet is started bone density usually improves.

Many people with celiac disease also suffer from temporary lactose intolerance. Because the enzyme lactase that helps us to digest lactose is produced by the cells of the villi, if the villi are damaged they cannot produce this enzyme. Again once the small intestine heals, people will find that lactase production will resume and their lactose intolerance will go way.

Celiac disease can increase your risk for miscarriages, and congenital malformations because of the absorption problems and malnutrition that results from them.  Neurological and psychiatric issues are also common, such as depression, migraines, balance problems, anxiety and even seizures. Celiac disease can also lead to an increased risk of cancer especially those cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract.

Most these risks and complications will return to normal as soon as a celiac patient begins to eat a gluten free diet, although repair of the intestines can take time up to 2 to 3 years depending on the amount of damage that has been done.