Celiac Disease — Diagnosis & Treatment in Okeechobee, FL
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this damage prevents the body from absorbing nutrients properly. Celiac disease is not a food allergy or a simple intolerance: it is an immune condition that affects about one in a hundred people, many of whom remain undiagnosed. It can develop at any age, and the only effective treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely, and some people have few or no digestive complaints at all. Common signs may include:
- Diarrhea, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain
- Unintended weight loss or difficulty gaining weight
- Fatigue or weakness, often from anemia
- Bone or joint pain
- An itchy, blistering skin rash
- Mouth ulcers or numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- In children: poor growth or delayed puberty
Causes and risk factors
Celiac disease runs in families and is linked to certain genes that affect how the immune system responds to gluten. Having the genes does not guarantee the disease will develop, but it raises the risk. Risk is higher in people with a first-degree relative who has celiac disease, and in people with other autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes or autoimmune thyroid disease. The condition is triggered by eating gluten, and symptoms can begin in childhood or appear for the first time in adulthood, sometimes after a stressful event such as surgery, pregnancy, or a viral illness.
How we diagnose it at Gastro in Florida
Diagnosis starts with blood tests that detect the antibodies the immune system produces in response to gluten, along with tests for anemia and nutrient deficiencies. It is important to keep eating gluten until testing is complete, because stopping gluten beforehand can make the blood tests come back negative even when the disease is present. If blood tests suggest celiac disease, upper endoscopy with small biopsies of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) is used to confirm the diagnosis by showing damage to the intestinal lining. Genetic testing can help rule out celiac disease in unclear cases. You can also browse our full list of conditions we treat.
Treatment options
The treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet for life — completely avoiding wheat, barley, rye, and foods contaminated with gluten. A dietitian can help you learn to read labels, spot hidden sources of gluten, and avoid cross-contact in the kitchen. Most people begin to feel better within weeks, though the intestinal lining takes longer to heal. Follow-up blood tests and sometimes a repeat endoscopy confirm that healing is underway. Your doctor will also check for and treat nutrient deficiencies and monitor bone health, since untreated celiac disease can weaken bones. There are no medicines that replace the gluten-free diet, and even small amounts of gluten can cause damage, so ongoing follow-up matters.
When to see a specialist
See a gastroenterologist if you have persistent diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain, unexplained anemia or weight loss, or a family history of celiac disease — especially if you also have another autoimmune condition. If you suspect celiac disease, do not start a gluten-free diet before testing, as that can make diagnosis harder. Seek urgent care right away if you vomit blood, pass black stools, or develop sudden severe abdominal pain. Early diagnosis and a proper gluten-free diet can prevent serious complications and restore your health.
Related conditions: Diarrhea, Gas & Bloating, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
For celiac disease testing and upper endoscopy with biopsy, call Gastro in Florida at (863) 824-3447 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vikram Tarugu in Okeechobee.
Patients from Sebring, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Lake Placid, Avon Park, Stuart, and Wellington travel to our Okeechobee office for gastroenterology care — call (863) 824-3447 to schedule your visit.