Celiac Disease & Other Gluten-Related Disorders
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. At this time, there is no cure for celiac disease and the best treatment is a gluten-free diet. Our team of expert gastroenterologists, registered dietitians and pathologists will work with you to provide an accurate diagnosis of celiac disease and develop a treatment and nutrition plan that meets your unique needs.
Recently, maintaining a gluten-free diet has become very popular even for individuals not diagnosed with celiac disease. Patients adopting a gluten-free diet should initially be monitored for vitamin deficiencies that can arise from the diet itself.
An Accurate Diagnosis
To provide an accurate diagnosis, our physicians test for antibodies and genes that signal celiac disease’s presence. Follow up to these tests may include:
- Intestinal biopsy – If your blood tests indicate celiac disease, an endoscopic biopsy may be performed to examine tissue from your small intestine. This test indicates the function of the small structures (villi) that line the small intestine and absorb nutrients from food, which are vital in preventing ailments and ensuring proper nutrition.
- Nutritional assessment – A nutritional assessment will be taken to determine whether you have any nutritional deficiencies, such as low levels of iron, folate (a B vitamin), vitamin B12, calcium and parathyroid hormone levels, and vitamin D, as well as copper and zinc levels.
Celiac Disease Treatment
By changing eliminating gluten from your diet, you will be able to more easily manage your symptoms while stopping and possibly reversing damage to your small intestine. Our registered dietitians will work with you to design a nutrition plan that follows the guidelines below to keep you symptom-free:
- Avoid foods containing wheat, rye and barley in all their forms
- Choose foods and flour made from naturally non-gluten containing sources
- Purchase nutritious manufactured gluten-free foods
- Supplement the diet with vitamins and calcium when appropriate
Comprehensive Management of Celiac Disease
Symptoms of celiac disease sometimes spread beyond nutrition and digestion and can be linked to diabetes and thyroid conditions. If this is the case for you, our team will collaborate with specialists in other areas, including orthopedics, endocrinology, hematology and oncology to provide you with compassionate, individualized care.