Celiac Disease (CD) is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy. It is an autoimmune like inflammatory disease of the small intestine, resulting from gluten ingestion by susceptible individuals.

This disease affects persons of all ages, and not only children as was initially thought.  The sensitivity described in the affected subject is a non-allergic sensitivity.  The disease is not uncommon, with an estimated frequency worldwide of about one percent.

Barbados Reference Laboratory is currently offering tested and proven diagnostic serologic tests for the detection and monitoring of this disease.

Blood Tests Available:  Barbados Reference Laboratory is offering the Deamidated Gliaden Peptide (DGP) antibodies test in combination with the Tissue Transglutaminase (TTG) antibodies test.  This combination of test offers a high specificity and sensitivity, thus reducing the need for intestinal biopsies in an increase number of those patients who are being investigated for this disease.

Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice and testing.

What is celiac disease?

• An autoimmune disease caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley
• Gluten is found in many foods, medicines and cosmetics
• When people with Celiac Disease eat food with gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying intestinal villi (villous atrophy)
• Villi are tiny fingerlike protrusions on the lining of the small intestine which help absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
• This atrophy of the intestinal villi causes malabsorption of nutrients, resulting in malnutrition

Celiac disease overview

• Celiac disease (CD) affects approximately 1% of most populations.
• It is largely undiagnosed due to the variety of clinical symptoms.
• Celiac disease (CD) affects more people than Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined.

Celiac disease in adults         

Adults may present with:

• Diarrhea, although about 50% don’t have clinically significant diarrhea
• Flatulence
• Weight loss
• Symptomatic lactose intolerance
• Abdominal discomfort and bloating
• Malaise
• Anemia (severe during pregnancy)
• Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common presentation          
• Macrocytic anemia due to folate (or vitamin B) deficiency
• Coagulopathy resulting from vitamin K deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency leading to hypocalcemia
• Bone fractures
• Infertility
• Psychiatric syndromes
• Neurologic conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, ataxia and seizures

Celiac disease in children     

• In young children it usually occurs between 4-24 months as grains are introduced into the diet and presents with diarrhea (or constipation), abdominal distension and failure to thrive.
• Children with severe untreated disease, may have short stature, delayed puberty, iron and folate deficiency with anemia and rickets.
• In older children it may present as arthralgia, defects in dental enamel, behavioral disturbances such as depression.  They may also be irritable and perform poorly in school.