What Happens When A Celiac Goes Off A Gluten Free Diet

What Happens When A Celiac Goes Off A Gluten Free Diet? For those with Celiac disease lifelong strict gluten free diet is currently the only available treatment. There are medications being investigated to treat Celiac disease but they are not yet available. Compliance with a gluten free diet can be difficult for some especially those who had minimal symptoms (though they may have complications of malabsorption such as iron and/or vitamin D deficiency), those who are in denial about the seriousness of the condition, adolescents, children residing in homes where one parent or other family member doesn't accept the diagnosis and in those who are trying to be compliant but inadvertently are getting exposed to hidden sources of gluten or cross contaminated. Common sources of hidden gluten can include medications, supplements and personal hygiene products like toothpaste and make-up. Intentional and unintentional gluten exposure to gluten can result in return of intestinal injury or failed healing. This can result in malabsorption as well as an increase in cancer. If you have Celiac disease you should be followed by a physician familiar with the myriad of signs and symptoms of Celiac disease and gluten exposure as well as sources of hidden gluten and cross contamination. You should also have regular, at least annual follow up exam and labs to ensure you are in remission.