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Is there a cure?
We are here for you
The only treatment for coeliac disease is to follow
If you need any help, would like more information or
a strict gluten free diet. This will enable the
have some questions, we’re here to help. You can get
regrowth of the villi in the bowel in most people
and symptoms to disappear. Providing all gluten
or
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in touch in the following ways:
has been removed from the diet, most people with
coeliac disease return to normal health over a
Helpline +64 (9) 820 5157
period of months.
Office +64 (9) 414 7467
Eating gluten free
If you are diagnosed with coeliac disease, you’ll
have to follow a gluten free diet. A gluten free diet
@ [email protected]
www.coeliac.org.nz
Cramping,
Abdominal Pain
or Bloating
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is the removal of wheat, barley, oats and rye (or any
of their derivatives) from a person’s diet.
Examples of foods containing gluten
Bread, cakes, biscuits, beer, wraps, pasta,
breakfast cereals, dried packet soup, pizza bases,
Tiredness or
Low Iron
pies, crackers, gravy.
Hair Loss
What is gluten free?
There are many foods you can still enjoy on a gluten
free diet. Many foods are naturally gluten free.
These include fresh fruit, vegetables, rice, potato,
corn, plain meat, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, most
yoghurts, pulses (peas, beans and lentils), fats and
oils.
There are also plenty of gluten free substitutes
available in the supermarket for products such as
bread, biscuits, crackers, pizza bases and cakes.
© Coeliac New Zealand Incorporated 2016
PO Box 302717, North Harbour 0751
Charities Commission No CC27810
Coeliac New Zealand is not a medical organisation.
People reading this material should not act solely on it.
The advice of a doctor should always be sought.
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It is estimated that 60,000 to
70,000 New Zealanders have
coeliac disease, although up to
80% of them are unaware they
What are the signs?
The symptoms of coeliac disease vary considerably.
Symptoms in Children
Irritability
Poorly calcified
teeth
Weight loss
in older
children
Poor growth
Coeliac disease (pronounced see-lee-ak) is a
permanent, autoimmune disease which causes an
intestinal reaction to dietary gluten (found in wheat,
Poor weight
gain
Nausea/
vomiting
barley, rye and oats). In coeliac disease, the cells lining
the small bowel (intestine) are damaged and inflamed.
This causes flattening of the tiny finger-like projections,
Diarrhoea
Irritable bowel
symptoms
Large, bulky,
foul stools
called villi, that line the inside of the bowel.
Damage on
small intestine
lining
Chronic
anaemia
Chronic
constipation
Symptoms do not occur until gluten
is introduced into an infant diet –
later onset is also possible.
Healthy Villi
Damaged villi means minerals such
as iron are not able to be absorbed.
The function of the villi is to break down and absorb
nutrients in food. When they become flat, the surface
area of the bowel is greatly decreased, which interferes
with the absorption of nutrients from food. This may
lead to deficiencies in vitamins (such as folic acid) and
minerals (e.g. iron and calcium).
Neurological
issues
which may occur alone or in combination.
have the condition.
Understanding coeliac
disease
Symptoms in Adults
These are some of the commonly reported symptoms,
Difficulty
concentrating
Vitamin B12,
A, D, E and K
deficiencies
Fatigue,
weakness and
lethargy
Easy bruising
of the skin
Ulcerations and/or
swelling of mouth
and tongue
Nausea and
vomiting
Chronic
constipation
Irritable bowel
symptoms
Miscarriages
and infertility
Diarrhoea
Anaemia –
iron or folic acid
deficiency are the
most common
Weight loss
Bone and joint
pains
Osteoporosis
Muscle spasms
due to low
blood calcium
levels
Skin rashes
such as dermatitis
herpetiformis
Symptoms common in adults
Symptoms less common in adults
What to do
Step 1 Talk to your doctor Mention if a relative has coeliac disease, another autoimmune disease, dermatitis herpetiformis or anaemia.
Step 2 Stay on a normal gluten-containing diet A gluten free diet should not be started as it will interfere with establishing
the correct diagnosis. If a gluten free diet has already been adopted, the tests used to diagnose coeliac disease are
unreliable and can be falsely negative.
Step 3 Book in for a test A simple blood test can be used to diagnose coeliac disease.
Step 4 Once diagnosed, see a dietitian Get advice on how to manage a gluten free diet with good nutrition.