Can Celiac Disease Go Away?

Medically reviewed on Sept 20, 2023 by Jillian Foglesong Stabile, MD, FAAFP. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Table of contents

• What Is Celiac Disease?
• How To Manage Celiac Disease
• Manage Celiac Disease Easily And Effectively With Everlywell
• Related Content

Celiac disease, a genetic condition, affects an estimated 2 million Americans. It’s a disorder that impacts both the digestive and immune systems, namely inhibiting the function of the small intestine. [1]

What triggers such a disorder? Gluten.

Gluten is a type of protein that’s found in such grains as wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. When ingested, the small intestine falters, making it difficult for the organ to absorb nutrients and disperse them into the bloodstream for the body to use. [1]

That said, can celiac disease go away?

No. Celiac disease is a life-long diagnosis, and the condition will not spontaneously disappear. Rather, it’s critical to understand how to manage the condition through a gluten-free diet. [1]

What Is Celiac Disease?

Contrary to popular belief, celiac disease is neither a food intolerance nor an allergy. Rather, the condition is what’s called an autoimmune disease. [2]

Essentially, people with this disease must fight against their own immune systems. Immune cells begin to attack healthy cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body, and they often develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. [2]

In the case of celiac disease, you will not experience anaphylactic shock after eating gluten. Instead, the most common symptoms are digestive. People with celiac disease may experience [3]:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

Digestive problems are particularly common in children with celiac disease. Adults with the condition may also deal with bone and joint pain and/or weakness, as well as anemia—a deficiency of red blood cells that can cause fatigue, dizziness, and an irregular heart rate. [3]

Long-term complications of celiac disease include malnutrition, since the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients properly. This is particularly dangerous in children as it can impact their growth and development, resulting in [1,3]:

• Weight loss or failure to gain weight
• Delayed puberty
• Tooth damage
• Mood changes

Another complication of celiac disease is accelerated osteoporosis. The condition can also negatively impact both the nervous system and the reproductive system. In very rare cases, celiac disease can lead to [1]:

• Cancer of the small intestine (adenocarcinoma)
• Liver damage or failure
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The prospects of celiac disease can be alarming to some patients. However, it’s important to note that while celiac disease will not disappear, it can be managed.

How To Manage Celiac Disease

Since celiac disease primarily manifests as digestive issues, it’s easy to mistake the condition for irritable bowel syndrome or an IBS flare-up, in which the gut cannot digest certain foods. As such, if you’re experiencing symptoms related to celiac disease, it’s critical to visit health professionals who can perform a diagnosis.

It’s likely that your healthcare provider will conduct an antibody blood test to identify the state of your immune system. If results come back positive, they’ll prescribe a strict gluten-free or celiac diet plan you must follow for life. [3]

Fortunately, gluten-free food is relatively easy to find in most grocery stores and restaurants. Gluten-free foods contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which can be found on the product’s label. [4]

The most common sources of gluten to avoid include [5]:

• Wheat
• Wheat derivatives, such as durum, farro, graham, and more
• Rye
• Barley
• Triticale
• Malt
• Brewer’s yeast
• Wheat starch

You’ll often find these grains in foods like pasta, breads and pastries, crackers, cereals, sauces, and beer. [5] Learn more about what differentiates a wheat allergy vs. celiac disease.

The good news is that switching to a diet of gluten-free foods can make your symptoms go away, although the condition will not disappear entirely. Foods to prioritize include [6]:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat and poultry
• Fish and seafood
• Dairy
• Beans, legumes, and nuts

There are also some naturally gluten-free grains, seeds, and starchy goods that you can incorporate into your diet, such as [6]:

• Amaranth
• Arrowroot
• Buckwheat groats
• Cassava
• Chia
• Corn
• Flax
• Gluten-free oats
• Millet
• Nut flours
• Potato
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Sorghum
• Soy
• Tapioca
• Teff
• Yucca

It’s also advised to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals with a daily gluten-free multivitamin since your digestive system can have trouble absorbing nutrients. In particular, people with celiac disease are often deficient in calories and protein, as well as [4]:

• Fiber
• Iron
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Folate
• Niacin
• Riboflavin
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D

Additionally, it’s important to visit your healthcare provider regularly—that is, three to six months after your celiac disease diagnosis, and then once a year. During your visits, your healthcare provider may conduct an anti-tTg IgA test and assess your symptoms for improvement.

Manage Celiac Disease Easily And Effectively With Everlywell

Unfortunately, celiac disease will not go away on its own, even following a gluten-free diet. Rather, eliminating gluten can help to prevent uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms and encourage nutrient absorption.

If you believe you may have celiac disease, make an appointment with your healthcare provider or take your celiac disease diagnosis into your own hands with the Everlywell at-home Celiac Disease Screening Test. The test is similar to those administered in healthcare offices, testing for antibodies that may indicate Celiac disease. Along with your results, you’ll receive next steps from a licensed healthcare provider if your results are positive.

Start your journey to better health today with Everlywell.

Related Content

Celiac Diet Plan: Benefits and How To Create One

Hidden Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Silent Celiac Disease: Symptoms & Causes

Understanding Refractory Celiac Disease

Wheat Allergy vs. Celiac Disease: How Are They Different?

References

1. Definition & Facts for Celiac Disease. NIH. Published October 2020. URL. Accessed September 14, 2023.
2. Autoimmune Diseases. NIH. Published May 31, 2022. URL. Accessed September 14, 2023.
3. Celiac Disease. Allergy & Asthma Network. URL. Accessed September 14, 2023.
4. Treatment & Follow-Up. Celiac Disease Foundation. URL. Accessed September 14, 2023.
5. Sources of Gluten. Celiac Disease Foundation. URL. Accessed September 14, 2023.
6. Gluten-free Foods. Celiac Disease Foundation. URL. Accessed September 14, 2023.