Dr Vikki Petersen is an American doctor, chiropractor, certified clinical nutritionist and author. She’s acknowledged as a pioneer in advances to identify and treat gluten sensitivity and she and various members of her family are gluten intolerant. Here, she discusses the most common symptoms of coeliac disease and gluten intolerance.
Dr Vikki said: “I’m glad we’re discussing the ‘most common symptoms’ because if we were to write a full list, we’d be looking at over 200 symptoms! For coeliac disease, the most common symptoms are: weight loss, diarrhoea or constipation, persistent gut issues and stomach pain, failure to thrive (in children) itchy skin rash, joint pain, fatigue, mouth ulcers, tingling or numbness in hands and feet, discoloured teeth or loss of enamel. Also, if you or your children have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, you are at an increased risk of having coeliac disease or another, autoimmune condition. This list of common symptoms is the same for gluten sensitivity.
“Those directly related to someone who has already been diagnosed with gluten sensitivity should be tested, if possible, but those suffering with any of the following conditions may also be more likely to diagnosed with the condition and should speak to a medical professional:”
- Chronic intestinal problems
- Chronic anaemia
- Osteoporosis
- Migraines
- Obesity
- Arthritis
- Memory loss
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- IBS
- Low thyroid
- ADD or ADHD
- Autism
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Type I or II diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Any autoimmune disorder
People suffering with any of these, or similar symptoms, should speak to their GP.