--- title: "Coeliac disease: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "A plain-English guide to coeliac disease — symptoms, diagnosis, and living gluten-free on the NHS in the UK." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/ robots: noindex --- # Coeliac disease: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z A plain-English guide to coeliac disease — symptoms, diagnosis, and living gluten-free on the NHS in the UK. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is coeliac disease? Coeliac disease is a lifelong condition where eating gluten damages the lining of the gut. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea, tiredness and weight loss, but some people have few or no obvious symptoms. Diagnosis involves blood tests and often a gut biopsy — do not start a gluten-free diet before testing. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Coeliac disease, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Key facts about coeliac disease - Coeliac disease affects about 1 in 100 people in the UK — many are undiagnosed. - Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye — not just obvious bread and pasta. - A strict lifelong gluten-free diet is the only treatment. - Untreated coeliac disease can cause anaemia, osteoporosis and other complications. - Keep eating gluten until tests are complete — stopping early can give false results. ## What is coeliac disease? Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition where the immune system reacts to **gluten** — a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Eating gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, reducing the absorption of nutrients. It affects about one in 100 people in the UK, but many remain undiagnosed because symptoms vary widely. Coeliac disease is **not** an allergy or a fad diet choice — it requires lifelong medical management. ## Symptoms Symptoms differ between people and can be gut-related, general, or both: **Gut symptoms:** - bloating and wind - diarrhoea or constipation - stomach pain or discomfort - nausea **Other symptoms:** - extreme tiredness - unexplained weight loss (or poor growth in children) - iron deficiency anaemia - mouth ulcers - skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis — an itchy blistering rash linked to coeliac disease) Some people have **no obvious symptoms** but still have gut damage — they may be diagnosed after screening because of anaemia or a family history. ## Getting diagnosed **Important:** Keep eating gluten as usual until tests are complete. Starting a gluten-free diet before blood tests can give falsely negative results and delay diagnosis. Diagnosis usually involves: - Blood tests — checking for coeliac antibodies - Gut biopsy — if blood tests suggest coeliac disease, a camera test (endoscopy) takes a small sample of the gut lining to confirm damage A GP can arrange initial tests and refer you to a specialist if needed. ## Treatment — a gluten-free diet The only treatment is a **strict lifelong gluten-free diet**. This allows the gut to heal and symptoms to improve. Even small amounts of gluten can cause damage without obvious symptoms. A dietitian helps you: - identify safe and unsafe foods - plan balanced meals - understand labelling — “gluten-free” vs “may contain traces” - manage eating out and cross-contamination Gluten is found in many foods beyond bread and pasta — including some sauces, gravies, sausages, and beer. ## Complications of untreated coeliac disease Without treatment, ongoing gut damage can cause: - nutrient deficiencies — especially iron, calcium and B vitamins - osteoporosis — from poor calcium absorption - fertility problems - a small increased risk of certain bowel cancers These risks reduce significantly once a gluten-free diet is established and the gut heals. ## Coeliac disease vs IBS Coeliac disease and **irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)** can cause similar symptoms. Testing for coeliac disease is recommended before diagnosing IBS, because the treatments are completely different. ## Living with coeliac disease With a good understanding of the diet, most people live fully active lives. Coeliac UK provides resources, food lists, and restaurant guidance. Annual GP reviews help monitor your health once diagnosed. ## When to see a GP See a GP if you have persistent gut symptoms, unexplained anaemia, or a first-degree relative with coeliac disease. Do not self-diagnose or start a gluten-free diet without testing. ## ! When to see a GP about coeliac disease See a GP if you have ongoing gut symptoms — bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain — especially with tiredness, unexplained weight loss, or anaemia. Do **not** remove gluten from your diet before blood tests, as this can affect results. Seek urgent advice for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or blood in your stool. ## Common questions about coeliac disease What is the difference between coeliac disease and gluten intolerance? Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where gluten triggers gut damage and can cause serious complications if untreated. Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity causes symptoms without the same immune response or gut damage — diagnosis and management differ. What foods contain gluten? Wheat, barley and rye — found in bread, pasta, cereals, many sauces, beer, and some processed foods. Oats are often contaminated unless labelled gluten-free. A dietitian helps identify hidden sources. How is coeliac disease diagnosed? A GP usually arranges blood tests for coeliac antibodies while you are still eating gluten. If positive, you may be referred for a camera test (endoscopy) with a small sample (biopsy) of the gut lining to confirm diagnosis. What happens if coeliac disease is not treated? Ongoing gut damage can lead to malabsorption, iron deficiency anaemia, osteoporosis, fertility problems and a slightly increased risk of certain gut cancers. A gluten-free diet allows the gut to heal. Are gluten-free foods available on prescription? Some basic gluten-free staples are available on NHS prescription in parts of the UK — availability varies. Many suitable foods are also sold in supermarkets labelled gluten-free. ## Sources - [NHS — Coeliac disease](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/) - [Coeliac UK](https://www.coeliac.org.uk/)