Coeliac Disease vs Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance is a sensitivity, also called non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, while coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by a reaction to gluten affecting 1 in 100 people in the UK. The protein gluten found in wheat and other grains is the trigger for both conditions. However coeliac disease is not the same as gluten intolerance.
Although the symptoms of gluten intolerance can be similar to those of coeliac disease, there are distinct differences between the two health conditions. Learn more about the difference between coeliac disease and gluten intolerance, how they affect the body and how to get diagnosed for either.
Our private Gluten Allergy Test offers a quick, easy, and accurate way to assess whether you have coeliac disease. It can be booked individually or added as an extra test to our health assessment packages, tailoring your tests to suit your specific needs.
What is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intolerance is a digestive health issue that results from a negative response to ingesting gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Both gluten intolerance and coeliac disease share similar symptoms. However, the effect these conditions have on the body is different.
Unlike coeliac disease, gluten intolerance is not thought to have a genetic factor. Moreover, there has been a call for further research into gluten intolerance, as its prevalence is growing, particularly in the Western world. Conclusions are being drawn between increasing numbers of people with gluten intolerance and environmental factors. It is thought that modern wheat species are triggering more wheat-related disorders such as gluten sensitivity and wheat intolerance.
If you suspect that you may have a sensitivity to gluten, you may experience discomfort after eating foods containing gluten. Common signs of being gluten intolerant include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Gas
- Constipation
What Causes Gluten Intolerance?
The causes of gluten intolerance are not entirely clear and research is still being carried out to determine just what is behind this condition. Some studies have found that gluten intolerance might not be connected to the protein gluten at all but rather an inability to digest a certain carbohydrate.
Other studies suggest that gluten intolerance might be a result of gluten affecting the permeability of the stomach lining, allowing bacteria to pass through and cause inflammation. What is clear is that more research is required to confirm the exact causes of gluten intolerance.
Is Gluten Intolerance the Same as Coeliac Disease?
Although coeliac disease and gluten intolerance symptoms are similar, the two conditions are not the same. Gluten intolerance encompasses varying levels of sensitivity to gluten, from experiencing mild to severe symptoms. The symptoms of coeliac disease are typically more serious and can result in damage to the gut lining.
In terms of diagnosis, the two conditions also differ. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where, upon consuming gluten, the immune system triggers a response and attacks tissues which damages your small intestine. This damage consequents in not being able to absorb enough nutrients. In order to make a diagnosis of coeliac disease, these antibodies must be present in the blood test sample.
As gluten intolerance is not an autoimmune disorder, and antibodies are not created by the body, a blood test cannot diagnose this condition. Instead, gluten intolerance is diagnosed by ruling out coeliac disease.
What Causes Coeliac Disease?
As coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder, it is thought to be hereditary. Individuals with a close relative with the disease have a 1 in 10 chance of becoming coeliac themselves. The disorder is down to a malfunction in the immune response, resulting in the immune system mistakenly identifying gluten as a threat. Carrying certain gene variants can increase your chance of becoming coeliac.
Research is also being carried out on other factors that may cause coeliac disease. From contracting digestive diseases early in life to changes to the gut microbiome, these are thought to be potential causes of coeliac disease.
There is also mention of environmental factors that may contribute to the onset of coeliac disease. Toxic chemicals in pesticides, non-stick cookware, and flame retardants are being researched to determine their involvement in developing the disease.
What are the Symptoms of Coeliac Disease?
Individuals with coeliac disease commonly experience symptoms such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Fatigue
These are similar to the symptoms of other wheat-related disorders. However, coeliac disease can also cause:
- Skin rashes
- Fertility issues
- Unexpected weight loss
- Speech, balance and coordination disorders (Ataxia)
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
Difference Between Gluten Intolerance and Coeliac Disease
| Coeliac Disease | Gluten Intolerance | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An autoimmune disease where the body attacks itself after the consumption of gluten | A reaction to consuming gluten, but it is not an autoimmune disease |
| Symptoms | Stomach pain, diarrhoea, bloating, gas, weight loss, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, brain fog, fatigue, anaemia and muscle/ joint pain | Stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, gas, joint/ muscle pain, fatigue and brain fog |
| Diagnosis | A coeliac disease blood test is taken to detect antibodies | No conclusive test, but rather, coeliac disease is ruled out |
| Treatment | Following a strict gluten-free diet | Following a gluten-free diet but small amounts of gluten can be tolerated |
Testing for Coeliac Disease
To establish whether an individual is coeliac, a non-invasive blood test is usually the first step. This blood test typically looks for the presence of antibodies in the blood. The level of transglutaminase antibody (tTG) in the blood is measured to indicate whether an immune response has been triggered. A high tTG level would suggest that the individual is coeliac. It is important to ensure that the person has eaten gluten-containing foods (with wheat, barley, or rye as an ingredient) in more than one meal a day, for a minimum of 6 weeks, before testing is performed.
Another more invasive method of testing includes undergoing a biopsy of the small intestine in order to confirm a diagnosis of coeliac disease. Samples of the small intestine are taken and studied under the microscope to look for signs of inflammation and damage attributed to coeliac disease.
Book a Private Coeliac Disease Test
Our private Gluten Allergy Test is specifically designed to check for the high levels of transglutaminase antibody (tTG) in the blood associated with coeliac disease. This test can also be used to rule out coeliac disease in order to help move towards a diagnosis of gluten intolerance or other wheat-related disorders.
The Gluten Allergy Test involves taking a blood sample which looks for signs of coeliac disease in the blood. The sample is then sent to a leading laboratory we have partnered with to be analysed. After analysis, you will receive a personalised Results Report detailing your test results.
The Gluten Allergy Test can be booked individually or added to any of our Health MOTs. Just call us before your appointment to add on an extra test.
