Each May, Coeliac Disease Awareness Month shines a spotlight on a condition that affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK. However, only 36% of those with Coeliac Disease are clinically diagnosed, according to Coeliac UK. That leaves hundreds of thousands of people unknowingly living with symptoms or silently suffering without any symptoms at all.
Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by the ingestion of gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When people with Coeliac Disease consume gluten, their immune system attacks their own tissues, damaging the lining of the small intestine and affecting nutrient absorption.
- 1 in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease
- Around 500,000 people remain undiagnosed
- Diagnosis typically takes 13 years on average after symptoms begin
- Coeliac Disease can develop at any age, including in adults
At Randox Health, we’re committed to increasing awareness, supporting early diagnosis, and helping people manage long-term conditions with personalised health insights.
Despite growing awareness, Coeliac Disease myths and misconceptions are still common. Let’s set the record straight and debunk 10 of the most common Coeliac Disease myths.[/vc_column_text]
False.
Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune condition, not a food allergy. When someone with Coeliac Disease consumes gluten (a protein found it wheat, barley and rye), their immune system attacks the lining of their small intestine. This leads to inflammation and damage that impairs nutrient absorption.
False.
Even tiny amounts of gluten, can trigger an immune response and intestinal damage, even if no symptoms are present. Vigilance is crucial.
Not true.
Symptoms can be widespread and affect the skin, bones, fertility, and even mental health. Fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, anaemia, and depression are common extra-intestinal symptoms.
Another misconception.
People with Coeliac Disease can be of any body weight. In fact, recent research shows that many newly diagnosed patients are normal or overweight, especially as modern diets compensate for nutrient malabsorption.
There’s nothing trendy about lifelong dietary restrictions.
For people with Coeliac Disease, a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment, not a lifestyle choice.
Unfortunately, you can’t.
Coeliac Disease is lifelong. Once diagnosed, gluten must be completely and permanently removed from the diet, even if symptoms seem to improve.
Nope.
Gluten can be hidden in sauces, soups, processed meats, salad dressings, and even medications or cosmetics. Safe eating requires vigilance and label reading.
Incorrect.
Asymptomatic (or “silent”) Coeliac Disease can still cause damage to the small intestine and lead to long-term complications. The absence of symptoms does not mean the condition is harmless.
Dangerous advice.
Testing for Coeliac Disease is only accurate if you are still eating gluten. Going gluten-free before diagnosis can result in false negatives, delaying proper medical care.
Far from easy.
Gluten can appear in countless everyday products – from soy sauce to crisps and stock cubes. Cross-contamination is a major risk when eating out or sharing kitchens. It requires lifelong vigilance, and professional dietary support is often needed.
How Randox Health Can Help
At Randox Health, we offer comprehensive blood tests that include tTG-IgA antibody screening, the gold-standard initial test for Coeliac Disease, along with key markers to monitor overall health, nutrition, and inflammation.
Explore our tailored packages:
Discovery Health Check
A detailed analysis of up to 150 health markers, including tTG-IgA antibodies, nutritional status, digestive function, and autoimmune risk.Everyman / Everywoman
Our most popular health check covering essential biomarkers—including tTG-IgA to help screen for Coeliac Disease, plus key indicators like iron, folate, and vitamin B12.