8 Gluten Intolerance Symptoms That Don’t Show Up on Standard Tests
Gluten intolerance also called non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is becoming very common nowadays. Gluten intolerance is characterised by gluten(which is a type of protein), you might feel bloated, gassy, tired, sick and uncomfortable after eating gluten. Gluten intolerance is not the same as celiacs disease or gluten allergy(wheat allergy).
But gluten intolerance, or non celiac gluten sensitivity, shares some of the same symptoms as celiac disease. It can cause considerable discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and more.
Several disorders are considered Gluten related disease (GRDs), including celiac disease, non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and wheat allergy.(1)
This article will take a closer look at gluten intolerance. In this article you will know about gluten intolerance symptoms that dont show up on standard tests. And also about its causes and how to treat non celiac gluten sensitivity(gluten intolerance)?
What is Gluten Intolerance?
If neither you are a celiac patient nor a person with wheat allergy, but still feeling tired, sick, bloated and gassy after intaking gluten. That means that you are gluten intolerant and have non celiac gluten sensitvity.
Gluten is a protein found in many foods, especially wheat. Gluten intolerance is not the same as celiac disease or a wheat allergy but their symptoms are a little bit the same. About 6% of the U.S. population is gluten intolerant.
What causes gluten intolerance?
The exact causes of gluten intolerance aren’t well understood. Some research shows that people may not be sensitive to gluten, but to a certain carbohydrate found in many foods. Their bodies don’t absorb carbohydrates as they should. It stays in their guts and ferments, causing sickness.
Other research suggests that wheat might affect the lining of some people’s digestive tracts. This lining usually keeps bacteria from leaking out of your intestines. But in people with a gluten intolerance, the lining may not work as it should, allowing bacteria into their blood or liver and causing inflammation.
Gluten Intolerance Symptoms
Although celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance, 0.5–13% of people may also have non celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder gluten related disorder.
Here are some of the most common 8 gluten intolerance symptoms (symptoms of non celiac gluten sensitivity).
Brain Fog
Brain fog is a most common characteristic of gluten sensitivity, referring to the feeling of being unable to think clearly. It’s often described as:
- being forgetful
- having difficulty thinking
- feeling “cloudy”
- experiencing mental fatigue
Brain fog is a common symptom of gluten intolerance. In one 2020 study, it affected 48% of participants with non celiac gluten intolerance. This may be caused by a reaction to certain antibodies in gluten though the exact reason is unknown.
Pain in Muscles and Joints
Gluten exposure may cause inflammation in those with gluten sensitivity. This inflammation may result in widespread pain, including in your joints and muscles (2).
People with gluten sensitivity also seem more likely to experience arm and leg numbness. While the exact cause remains unknown, some studies link this symptom to the presence of antibodies related to gluten intolerance.
Depression and Anxiety
One of the main reasons gluten sensitivity often goes unrecognized and untreated, researchers theorize, is because mental health issues can be a hallmark of this condition.
Data suggests that up to 22 percent of patients with CD develop such dysfunctions, with anxiety and depression occurring most commonly.
One study found that CD patients were more likely than others to feel anxious in the face of threatening situations, while additional research has linked conditions such as panic disorder and social phobia to gluten response. Depression and related mood disorders appear to occur with both NCGS and CD(3).
Headaches or migraines
It’s not normal for children to experience chronic headaches or migraines. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consult a doctor for an evaluation. It could be a sign of gluten sensitivity, migraine in particular is an associated symptom( 4 , 5 ).
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common gluten intolerance symptom. Many people with autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease, often feel tired. Several factors may contribute, including (6):
- chronic pain
- sleep disruptions
- psychological conditions like depression and anxiety
- inflammation
Unexplained weight loss
Although it may stem from various factors, unexplained weight loss can be a side effect of undiagnosed celiac disease (7).
That said, unexpected weight change is more common in children with celiac disease, especially those younger than 3 years. That’s because they are more likely to experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, and failure to thrive.
While weight loss can occur in adults, it appears rare (8).
Anemia
Although it’s discussed infrequently in popular articles, iron-deficiency anemia is well documented as a symptom of gluten intolerance in scientific studies.
In fact, research suggests that it may often be the first noticeable symptom of CD and that up to 75 percent of those with an anemia diagnosis may be gluten intolerant. (9) Gluten intolerance can interfere with the uptake of iron from food, causing malabsorption of this important nutrient.
What’s more, because anemia generally saps one’s energy, it can trigger or worsen the next non-digestive sign of gluten intolerance on this list.
Autoimmune disorders
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your digestive tract after you eat gluten (10).
It also makes you more prone to other autoimmune conditions, such as those affecting the thyroid. These conditions, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, can cause anxiety, depression, fatigue, and other symptoms that impact the overall quality of life (11).
Celiac is more common in people with other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune liver diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
These all are the gluten intolerance symptoms that are very important to diagnoss.
How is gluten intolerance diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history. If they suspect you have a gluten intolerance, these are the next steps to confirm the diagnosis:
Step 1:
You eat a diet containing gluten for about six weeks. During this time, your healthcare provider performs blood tests and skin tests to rule out a wheat allergy or celiac disease. There isn’t a gluten intolerance test.
Step 2:
If you don’t have a wheat allergy or celiac disease, your healthcare provider will ask you to exclude gluten from your diet for at least six weeks. Keep a thorough record of your symptoms during this time, noting which (if any) symptoms improve.
Step 3:
If your symptoms do improve while you’re on a gluten free diet, you gradually reintroduce gluten back into your diet. If symptoms return, you likely have a gluten intolerance.
How Will You Deal with Your Gluten Intolerance Symptoms?
If you experience improvement on a gluten-free diet and plan to continue eating this way, you can feel confident that there is no risk in terms of nutrient deficiencies to removing gluten from your diet(12).
If anything, my experience has shown me that people who eat gluten free are more likely to increase their intake of essential nutrients, especially if they replace bread and other flour products with whole foods.
You may want to know:
How to make gluten free pancakes?
Conclusions
Gluten related disorders may have numerous symptoms and can be frustrating to identify. You must know about gluten intolerance symptoms.
Remember that these conditions are common and may differ widely in severity. Know that you aren’t alone and that there are resources to help.
Speak with a doctor or dietitian for an accurate diagnosis, which will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms and potential testing. You can create a diet and lifestyle plan to help control symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are uncommon symptoms of gluten sensitivity?
Ans. Some of the top atypical symptoms are anemia, bone disease, elevated liver enzymes, neurological problems like migraines, short stature and reproductive problems.
Q. What test confirms gluten intolerance?
Ans. Two blood tests can help diagnose it: Serology testing looks for antibodies in your blood. Elevated levels of certain antibody proteins indicate an immune reaction to gluten. Genetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) can be used to rule out celiac disease.
Q. Can gluten intolerance go undetected?
Ans. The symptoms of coeliac disease can range from severe to minor or atypical, and may even go undetected. Some symptoms can be wrongly confused with irritable bowel syndrome or a sensitivity to wheat or other food, while other symptoms may be put down to stress or getting older.
Q. Can you be gluten intolerant and test negative?
Ans. While it is very rare, it is possible for someone with celiac disease to have negative antibody test results. If your tests were negative, but you continue to experience symptoms, consult your physician and undergo further medical evaluation.
Q. What disease is commonly confused with gluten intolerance?
Ans. Despite awareness efforts, celiac disease is often confused with other gluten-related disorders — like non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or a wheat allergy. Both seem similar to celiac disease, but are different conditions.
