Celiac Disease Symptoms, Diagnosis
Celiac disease or sprue is an inherited intestinal disorder in which gluten intolerance alters the body's ability to absorb these and other nutrients. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, farina, semolina and bulgar. Individuals with celiac disease often consume adequate amounts of calcium, but it cannot be absorbed. For this reason, low bone density is common in untreated and newly diagnosed cases of celiac disease. When foods containing gluten are eliminated from the diet, normal absorption from the intestines is restored.

In some cases, the diagnosis is missed because the only symptom the person has is occasional diarrhea or failure to gain or maintain body weight. The amount of bone a person loses will depend on the age at diagnosis and the onset of treatment with a gluten-free diet. When celiac disease is diagnosed and treated in childhood, peak bone density often is achieved and maintained. Even untreated adults with celiac disease have experienced improvement in bone density once they are treated with a gluten-free diet.

Diagnosis is usually made with a special antibody blood test or by examining a small piece of intestinal tissue removed in a biopsy.

Content Courtesy : www.osteo.org
^{Note : Information herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any course of supplementation or treatment.}