7 Surprising Coeliac Disease Symptoms I Wish Doctors Had Flagged Earlier
How does coeliac disease impact your life? We delve into 7 specific symptoms that are easy to overlook
Hey gluten free fam,
Let’s talk coeliac disease symptoms! Before my coeliac disease diagnosis, I had a laundry list of unexplained gluten‑related symptoms that were brushed off or misdiagnosed as IBS, growing pains, living an unhealthy lifestyle or “just stress.” If that sounds like you, hit play on Episode 1 of A Gluten Free Podcast for my full list of coeliac symptoms and journey to diagnosis.
Below are 7 commonly overlooked coeliac disease symptoms—with science‑backed explanations, tips, and links to trusted resources such as Coeliac Australia. Share this blog post to help others who may still be searching.
1) Anxiety and Gluten‑Induced Panic
I’ve battled high anxiety for years. Since adopting a strict gluten‑free diet (and quitting alcohol), my baseline anxiety has plummeted. Ironically, getting a positive coeliac blood test triggered fresh anxiety around cross‑contamination, eating out, and social events—a mental load many newly diagnosed coeliacs know too well.
2)Neuropathy (Pins‑and‑Needles and Burning Feet/Hands)
Did you know neuropathy is a symptom of coeliac disease? Pre‑diagnosis I experienced bizarre tingling, numbness, and burning sensations—it literally felt like my feet were on fire. These neurological symptoms of coeliac disease eased dramatically once I eliminated gluten and healed my gut .
3) Depression and Low Mood
In the months before diagnosis, my mental health spiralled. It was a combination of the actual inflammation occurring but also health professionals telling me everything was fine. It made me feel like it was all in my head. Inflammation plus deficiencies in B‑vitamins, zinc, and essential fatty acids wrecked my neurotransmitter balance. Blood tests said “normal,” but I felt anything but. Within six months gluten free, the fog began to lift. My mental health has improved considerably since going gluten free.
4)Joint and Back Pain
The physical and mental toll of coeliac disease is not to be underestimated
As a labourer, sudden lower‑back pain and aching joints threatened my livelihood. One workday I bent down and literally couldn’t stand back up. Systemic inflammation from untreated coeliac disease was attacking my connective tissue. Today, anti‑inflammatory movement, strength training, and a strict gluten free diet have helped immeasurably.
5) Mouth Ulcers (Canker Sores)
Recurring mouth ulcers plagued me for years; at their worst I had holes in the roof of my mouth. Now they’re my earliest accidental gluten exposure warning sign.
6) Mood Swings and Irritability
I’d flip from calm to furious or teary in minutes. Panic attacks, emotional crashes, constant overwhelm. Post‑diagnosis I was also evaluated for ADHD, a condition more prevalent in those with gut issues. Removing gluten and balancing nutrients stabilised my mood but I’m still in the early stages of understanding and managing my ADHD.
7) Osteopenia and Early Bone Loss
Years of poor absorption meant silent bone damage. A routine DEXA scan revealed osteopenia just recently. I’m now focusing on calcium‑rich gluten free foods (chia seeds, sardines, milk, cheese, dairy), vitamin D, and weight‑bearing exercise.
Coeliac Australia Testing Checklist
Serology: tTG‑IgA & total IgA while consuming gluten (≥ 4 slices bread/day for 6 weeks).
Endoscopy & small‑bowel biopsy if blood tests are positive or symptoms persist.
HLA‑DQ2/DQ8 gene testing alongside antibodies to rule out genes and for family screening.
Podcast Episode for Deep Dive 🎙️
Episode 181: 7 Symptoms I Experienced Before My Coeliac Disease Diagnosis
References:
Coeliac Australia testing
Closing Thoughts on Coeliac Disease Symptoms Pre Diagnosis
My story is one of so many where one symptom spirals into another. What do you do? How do you make sense of it? Thankfully, there are remedies and solutions once you know what to test for. This is a time to listen to your body and pay attention to the signals. Push for testing and advocate for yourself even if health professionals dismiss what you’re going through.
We would love to receive your feedback and find out about your personal story as part of the gluten free community. How many of these symptoms have you experienced? Could it be something more than “just anxiety” or “just stress”?
