Symptoms of Coeliac disease
People with coeliac disease can have severe symptoms, or they may have no obvious symptoms at all. Common symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal tract (gut) include: diarrhoea or constipation bloating fatty stools (steatorrhoea) nausea vomiting flatulence (passing wind) feeling pain or discomfort in the tummy Other symptoms and problems can include: low weight or slow weight gain in children feeling tired all of the time weight loss severe or persistent mouth ulcers irritability and depression failure to thrive, developmental delay or delayed puberty in children unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies autoimmune thyroid disease Many of these symptoms are very common and can occur because of other conditions. However, coeliac disease is under-diagnosed, so it’s important to consider it as a possible cause of your symptoms. The most common symptoms in children less than 5 years of age are: diarrhoea irritability weight loss and slow growth In older children, abdominal (tummy) pain is the most common symptom. Up to half of people with coeliac disease don't have symptoms. Even if you have no obvious symptoms, there may still be damage to your bowel. It's also important to be screened (tested) for coeliac disease if you have: early onset osteoporosis unexplained infertility a family history of coeliac disease liver disease Down syndrome Turner syndrome dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition linked with coeliac disease) type 1 diabetes