Gluten Intolerance, Allergy, or Celiac Disease? A Complete Guide to Symptoms, Testing, and Diagnosis

Do you feel sick or uncomfortable after eating gluten? If yes, you feel bloated, nauseous, or tired after eating gluten-containing foods, it indicates that your body's immune response might be reacting to gluten. First, you need to understand the gluten-related issues. Not feeling well after eating bread is not uncommon; however, figuring out the exact problem can be confusing for many people.

Gluten intolerance, also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity, causes uncomfortable physical reactions after gluten intake as the body's immune system overreacts. Gluten is a type of protein commonly found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten intolerance is different from celiac disease, which involves an autoimmune response and damages the small intestine, affecting people with celiac disease.

This article explores the differences between gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, and celiac disease. Keep reading to get a clearer picture of these various conditions through definitions, associated symptoms, causes, and all you should know.

First Things First: What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, some other grains, and many foods and drinks (pasta, beer). Gluten can also be found in other things, such as cosmetics, certain vitamins, and medications.

Common foods and drinks that contain gluten

• Breads

• Cereals

• Bulgur wheat

• Pastas

• Seasoned rice mixes

• Communion wafers

• Beer

• Crackers

• Soup

• Noodles

Decoding Your Symptoms: Gluten Intolerance vs. Sensitivity vs Allergy

Let's check out how to differentiate gluten intolerance symptoms, gluten sensitivity symptoms, and gluten allergy symptoms:

Understanding Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) or Gluten Intolerance

Your body finds it difficult to digest gluten, but unlike celiac disease, it doesn’t harm your intestines. Common symptoms, including digestive symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, and brain fog, may look similar to celiac disease. So basically, gluten intolerance is a temporary discomfort, not permanent harm, although it can lead to nutritional deficiencies if not managed properly.

Non-gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance happens when the body is unable to handle gluten appropriately, but it's not associated with celiac disease or wheat allergy. Gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance occurs when gluten doesn't sit well with an individual, leading to various gastrointestinal symptoms.

Common Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms in Adults Include:

• Digestive problems (bloating, stomach pain, gas)

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Headaches

• Brain fog

• Fatigue

• Skin problems

• Joint pain

Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity is almost similar to gluten intolerance. You feel unwell and experience uncomfortable symptoms after consuming gluten-containing foods or drinks, but you don’t have a wheat allergy or celiac disease. Medical professionals usually call this condition non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which can also include skin symptoms.

What is a Gluten Allergy (True Wheat Allergy)

Your immune system responds negatively to proteins in gluten and wheat, similar to a food allergy. Your body finds the wheat and gluten as a threat and quickly reacts defensively, causing symptoms such as swelling, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. Symptoms appear soon after consuming wheat.

Wheat allergy is an immune system reaction in which the immune system improperly reacts to the proteins found in wheat and gluten. When it comes to celiac disease vs gluten allergy, wheat or gluten allergy is a true allergy, like a peanut allergy that causes an immediate reaction, while celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder.

Typical gluten allergy symptoms are :

• Hives

• Swelling

• Difficulty breathing

• Potential risk of anaphylaxis

• Stuffy or runny nose and sneezing

• Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps

Here is the detailed comparison table for your reference:

Feature	Gluten Intolerance	Gluten Sensitivity	Gluten Allergy
Definition	Temporary sickness after eating gluten	Temporary sickness after eating gluten	Negative immune response causing gut damage
Cause	Inability to digest gluten	Inability to digest gluten	Allergic reaction to wheat and gluten
Appearance of Symptoms	A few hours to days	A few hours to days	A few minutes to hours
Symptoms	Bloating, fatigue, stomach pain, and brain fog	Bloating, fatigue, stomach pain, and brain fog	Itching, swelling, hives, upset stomach, and breathing problems
Serious Risks	Discomfort	Discomfort	May need emergency medical attention

Celiac Disease: More Than Just  Intolerance

When it comes to celiac disease vs gluten intolerance, celiac disease is definitely more than just intolerance. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that is triggered by gluten. It involves the immune system attacking he small intestine as it detects gluten as being dangerous for the body.

It is more than gluten-sensitive enteropathy, where the immune system damages the lining of the small intestine and can make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients over time. Celiac disease can contribute to serious health conditions such as infertility, anemia, osteoporosis, nerve problems, and growth issues in children.

Common symptoms are:

• Digestive problems (abdominal pain, bloating)

• Diarrhea and constipation

• Extreme tiredness and weakness

• Skin rashes

• Poor growth or weight loss in children

• Headaches

• Joint pain

• Mood changes

How to Know for Sure: Testing for Gluten-Related Disorders

How to know if you have a gluten intolerance or gluten allergy? Symptoms of gluten intolerance, an allergy, or celiac disease may overlap, making people confused about which gluten issue they have. So the testing is a significant way to identify what’s actually happening with you. So here’s all about the gluten-related disorder testing.

The Diagnostic Journey: How to Find Out if You Have a Gluten Issue

If you are confused about how to find out if you have a gluten allergy or intolerance, the following tests can help you be sure about your problem. Visit your healthcare provider and discuss your symptoms with them; they can prescribe the right test to diagnose your actual problem.

Testing for Gluten/Wheat Allergy

It's an allergic reaction to the proteins found in wheat, and diagnostic testing targets detecting the immune response.

• Symptom and Medical History Assessment

• Food Challenge (under professional guidance)

• Skin-Prick Test

• Blood Test (assesses IgE antibodies associated with allergic reactions)

Testing for Celiac Disease

Typically, celiac disease is tested through blood tests that target detecting specific antibodies and confirmed by endoscopy.

• Consume a normal gluten-containing diet.

• Blood tests (checks for antibodies produced as a reaction to gluten)

• 2tTG-IgA (Endomysial antibody, Deamidated gliadin peptides, and total IgA)

• Intestinal Biopsy

• Genetic Testing

Testing for Gluten Intolerance

How to test for gluten intolerance? There is no specific gluten intolerance test or gluten sensitivity test, and healthcare professionals initially target figuring out wheat allergy and celiac disease. When the symptoms improve with a gluten-free diet and return with gluten intake, that means you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

• Detecting other conditions, such as wheat allergy and celiac disease, if these tests are negative, that means you have gluten intolerance.

• Track your symptoms, maintain a food diary, and note which foods cause what kind of symptoms.

• Eliminate gluten-containing diet under your healthcare provider’s guidance. If symptoms get better, it shows that gluten is the problem.

Discussing the Cost of Gluten Sensitivity Testing

The cost of a gluten sensitivity test may vary depending on various factors such as the city, diagnostic center, and laboratory. Typical cost of gluten sensitivity testing ranges between INR 500 and INR 5,000.

The “Why”: What Gluten Does to Your Body

Gluten is a type of protein found in various foods and drinks. For most people, gluten is not harmful; however, for some, it may cause mild to serious symptoms. A lot of people with gluten issues are not aware of what gluten does to their digestive system, which makes them experience symptoms. Let's understand what gluten does to your body.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a result of an autoimmune attack that leads to intestinal damage and poor nutrient absorption. When you consume gluten-containing products, your immune system recognizes it as a threat and attacks the small intestine, causing intestinal inflammation and damaging the git lining, making it difficult to absorb nutrients. Even a small amount of gluten may cause subtle to severe symptoms, including digestive problems, vitamin deficiencies, anemia, malnutrition, fatigue, mood swings, and weak bones.

Wheat Allergy

An allergy is an immune response where your body detects wheat problems as a threat and becomes defensive. Wheat allergy may cause mild to life-threatening reactions such as swelling, itching, hives, sneezing, runny nose, trouble breathing, vomiting, and anaphylaxis (rare and fatal).

Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity is like a low-grade inflammation that happens when your body can not handle gluten well. Gluten sensitivity or intolerance causes Abdominal discomfort such as gas, bloating, stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea, along with headaches, tiredness, mood changes, and brain fog. It does not cause any severe damage to the gut, but learning how to manage and control symptoms is essential.

Next Steps: How to Reduce Gluten Sensitivity and Manage Symptoms

If gluten is the problem, here’s how people with gluten intolerance can manage gluten intolerance symptoms and feel better:

• Maintain a food diary to track the problematic foods that cause uncomfortable symptoms.

• Stay on a gluten-free diet or limit gluten-containing foods and notice how your body reacts.

• Consider naturally gluten-free foods such as rice, corn, millet, potatoes, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, dairy, eggs, and meat.

• Check the labels carefully and opt for gluten-free packaged foods. Carefully watch for problematic ingredients such as rye, malt, wheat starch, and barley.

• Eat a balanced diet, ensuring adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

• Seek professional advice from a nutritionist or dietitian.

• Watch the symptoms and improvements to identify the triggers.

• Exercise regularly, manage your stress levels, and take care of your digestive system.

Wrapping up Gluten Intolerance, Allergy, or Celiac Disease

Gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity occurs as a result of the body’s poor handling of gluten. The common symptoms include stomach discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, and mood fluctuations. The symptoms may appear after a few hours or days of consuming gluten. There are no specific gluten sensitivity tests available.

Healthcare providers rule out the wheat allergy and celiac disease and analyze how your body reacts to a gluten-free diet. On the other hand, wheat allergy and celiac disease are different conditions that are caused by a negative immune response. Gluten intolerance or sensitivity doesn’t cause life-threatening symptoms; however, celiac and wheat allergy may lead to life-threatening symptoms.

If you have symptoms, don’t self-diagnose and consult your healthcare provider for the right testing and proper guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

***Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphics, and images, is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice about your condition(s).