Gluten intolerance or coeliac disease? Understanding the difference

Do you ever feel a general discomfort after eating bread, pasta, or other gluten-containing foods? You're not alone. Many people experience digestive upset, fatigue, or other puzzling symptoms after consuming gluten. This often leads to the question, is it a sensitivity, or something more, like coeliac disease?

The NHS states that around 1 in 100 people are affected by coeliac disease in the UK, yet many more go undiagnosed with gluten-related issues. 

The distinction between gluten intolerance and coeliac disease is crucial, not just for how you feel day-to-day, but for your long-term health. While both involve reactions to gluten, the underlying implications for your body are quite different.

This blog post will clarify what gluten intolerance and coeliac disease are, highlight their key differences, explore common symptoms, and explain why understanding this distinction truly matters for your well-being.

We'll also explore how an at-home coeliac test can provide a valuable first step in gaining insights into your body's response to gluten, helping you make informed decisions about your diet and health journey.

Questions we’ll answer in this blog:

• What is gluten intolerance?

• What are the symptoms of gluten intolerance?

• What is coeliac disease?

• What are the symptoms of coeliac disease?

• Answers to common gluten-related questions 

• What are the benefits of an at-home test?

What is gluten intolerance (non-coeliac gluten sensitivity)?

Gluten intolerance, also known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), describes a condition where a person experiences adverse symptoms after consuming gluten, but does not have coeliac disease or a wheat allergy. It’s thought to be more common than coeliac disease, though pinpointing exact causes is tricky.

The exact reasons behind gluten intolerance are still being explored. It doesn't involve the same autoimmune response as coeliac disease. Instead, it's considered more of a sensitivity or difficulty in processing gluten or perhaps other components often found alongside gluten in grains.

What are the symptoms of gluten intolerance?

The symptoms of an intolerance can be varied and aren't always limited to the digestive system. Common signs include:

• Bloating
  

• Gas and flatulence
  

• Abdominal pain or cramping
  

• Diarrhea or constipation (or alternating)
  

• Nausea

These signs often appear hours or even a day or two after consuming gluten and typically improve when gluten is removed from the diet. While uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life, NCGS does not cause the same kind of permanent damage to the body as coeliac disease.

What is coeliac disease?

On the other hand, coeliac disease is a more serious, autoimmune condition triggered by consuming gluten. Unlike gluten intolerance, coeliac disease is not a sensitivity but a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its tissues when gluten is present.

Specifically, the immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine. This causes damage to the villi – tiny, finger-like projections that absorb nutrients from food. When the villi are damaged, the body struggles to absorb essential vitamins and minerals.

This malabsorption can lead to a range of health problems, extending beyond digestive upset.

What are the symptoms of coeliac disease?

Unlike gluten intolerance, the signs of coeliac disease aren't always straightforward.

What makes coeliac disease particularly challenging to identify is its wide range of symptoms; some individuals experience very few, or even no, noticeable digestive issues at all.

Beyond the well-known digestive discomforts, the symptoms of coeliac disease can manifest throughout the entire body. It is an autoimmune condition that directly damages the small intestine when gluten is consumed, impairing your body's ability to absorb vital nutrients.

This malabsorption can lead to a diverse array of effects that extend far beyond initial gut feelings. 

According to the NHS, some common coeliac disease symptoms include:

• Digestive upset (constipation, bloating, pain)

• Ongoing fatigue and low energy

• Unexplained weight loss

• Iron-deficiency anaemia

• Numbness

• Brain fog or coordination issues

Because coeliac disease involves ongoing autoimmune damage to the small intestine, it carries potential risks for long-term health considerations if left unmanaged. 

Understanding these broader implications underscores why recognising and addressing this condition is so essential for your well-being.

Answers to common gluten-related issues

Living with gluten-related symptoms can raise a lot of questions. This FAQ section provides straightforward answers to common concerns, with the aim of making gluten issues easier to understand and manage day to day.

Can gluten intolerance cause long-term harm?

No. Gluten intolerance can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, cramps, or fatigue, but it doesn’t damage the small intestine. Symptoms usually improve when gluten is reduced or removed from the diet.

The main impact of gluten intolerance is on daily comfort and quality of life, rather than long-term physical damage.

Is gluten intolerance the same as a wheat allergy or coeliac disease?

No, these are three separate conditions. A wheat allergy is an allergic reaction to proteins found in wheat, which may include gluten but also other proteins. Symptoms often develop quickly and can affect the skin, breathing, or digestion.

Coeliac disease, by contrast, is an autoimmune condition where gluten triggers damage to the small intestine. Gluten intolerance (non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) doesn’t involve an allergic or autoimmune response, but still leads to unpleasant symptoms after eating gluten.

Understanding these distinctions helps explain why the same food can affect people in very different ways.

Why can symptoms of gluten-related issues be so varied?

Gluten-related problems don’t affect everyone in the same way. Some people primarily experience digestive issues, such as bloating or cramps, while others notice fatigue, skin problems, or difficulties with concentration.

In coeliac disease, the reason is that damage to the small intestine can affect nutrient absorption, which in turn impacts various bodily systems. In gluten intolerance, the mechanisms aren’t fully understood, but it’s thought that gluten (or other components of grains eaten alongside gluten) may irritate sensitive individuals.

This wide range of possible effects explains why gluten-related issues can sometimes be complex to recognise.

What are the benefits of an at-home Coeliac test?

Many people wonder if gluten is the root cause of their condition. Obtaining clearer information is the first step towards managing your emotions and making informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle.

A coeliac test can be a valuable starting point. It offers a way to check for markers related to coeliac disease from the privacy and convenience of your own home.

Using a home rapid test provides a straightforward way to check for the presence of IgA and IgG antibodies, which are commonly found in people with coeliac disease. These are the antibodies your immune system produces in response to gluten if you have the condition.

These tests use just a small blood sample, often from a simple finger prick. They are designed to be user-friendly, with clear instructions that guide you through the process step-by-step. Getting a result at home offers a discreet way to get insights without the need to visit a clinic immediately.

It's important to remember that while these rapid tests can indicate the presence of relevant antibodies, they are not a substitute for a complete clinical assessment. If a home test suggests the presence of these antibodies, it's an indicator that further discussion with a healthcare professional is recommended.

Key takeaways:

• Gluten intolerance (non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) causes discomfort after eating gluten but does not damage the intestines or trigger an autoimmune response.
  

• Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that damages the small intestine and can lead to nutrient deficiencies and long-term health complications if untreated.
  

• Symptoms overlap (like bloating, diarrhoea, and fatigue), but coeliac disease can also cause issues beyond digestion, such as anaemia, skin rashes, and bone problems.
  

• Diagnosis differs: coeliac disease can be confirmed through blood tests and biopsy, while gluten intolerance is typically identified by ruling out coeliac disease and monitoring symptom changes.

• At-home tests can provide a helpful first step in identifying possible coeliac disease markers, helping guide further medical consultation.

Clarity for confident choices

Experiencing symptoms after eating gluten can be frustrating, impacting everything from your energy levels to your social life. Taking a proactive approach to understanding why you feel the way you do is key. 

Utilising accessible at-home tools can be a simple way to get valuable preliminary insights. It cuts through some of the guesswork and provides precise results that can serve as a springboard for further conversations with healthcare professionals if needed.

Accessible, reliable, and user-friendly home tests are designed to make that crucial initial step simpler, empowering you to live more confidently and comfortably.

Curious about gluten’s impact on your body? Try our at-home test today.