Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease, not an allergy or intolerance as many people believe.

When gluten enters the body, it triggers an autoimmune response that causes damage to the villi – the small fingerlike structures that line the small intestine.

Known as the clinical chameleon, because of the over 250 known symptoms, coeliac disease can be hard to diagnose. Once a diagnosis is gained however, there is only one treatment – a strict, lifelong gluten free diet.

While most people are given a blanket coeliac disease diagnosis, some people are being told the type of coeliac disease that they have, and this may help family members to be more aware when looking out for symptoms in themselves.

Below are the five types of coeliac disease –

Classical Coeliac Disease

The most common form of coeliac disease causes patients to experience symptoms that are mostly gastrointestinal, such as bloating, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

They also typically suffer from malabsorption, experience unexpected weight loss and have persistent tiredness.

In children it may also manifest itself in a lack of growth, or delayed puberty. 

Non-classical Coeliac Disease

This type of coeliac disease often causes little to no gastrointestinal symptoms. 

People are more likely to experience irritability, migraines, skin rashes, iron deficiency anaemia, chronic fatigue, mouth ulcers, vitamin deficiencies, and anxiety. 

They may also experience dental enamel defects, elevated liver enzymes, osteoporosis, unexplained infertility and early menopause.

In children, delayed puberty is often seen.

Silent Coeliac Disease

Silent, or subclinical coeliac disease, is diagnosed when you don’t experience any of the symptoms that would normally cause concern. Instead, a diagnosis usually comes as part of other medical investigations.

Even though there are no outward symptoms, there is still internal damage occurring to the small intestines, and you may still be experiencing malnutrition, infertility, osteoporosis or other medical side effects.

Potential Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease may be diagnosed when you are showing symptoms and test positive to coeliac antibodies on a blood test, but have inconclusive results on a biopsy. 

Family history and genetic results are also taken into consideration.

Refractory Coeliac Disease

This is a rare and severe type of coeliac disease, where even with a strict gluten free diet, the intestines do not heal, and symptoms are still experienced. 

This diagnosis is usually given 12-18 months after the initial diagnosis, and requires a follow up endoscopy to confirm internal damage is not healing.

While less than 4% of people with coeliac disease have RCD, it is considered very serious, as it brings increased risks of certain types of cancer, as well as other medical complications.

Do you know which type you fit into?

Our daughter definitely fits into the non-classical type – she typically presents with irritability, migraines, anaemia, fatigue, and anxiety. 

-Jo