Coeliac UK

I’m generally quite passive on LinkedIn so it’s rare you’ll see a post from me, however I had to share this as it’s a subject that’s extremely close to my heart. Our little girl has coeliac disease, we’re lucky it was diagnosed extremely early with her so she’s an absolute trooper when it comes to understanding that she simply can’t ingest any gluten. However, it’s extremely difficult for us to make sure she’s safe when it comes to normal life outside of the house when food is involved because the awareness just isn’t where it should be. Please take a read.

I’m proud to be supporting Coeliac Awareness Month 2024, this May. 🌾 Being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 2013 was one of the best things that happened to me! 🥳 I was frequently sick as a child and from the age of 22 to 32, my health was severely impacted and I was often poorly with viruses and tonsillitis. I always had a mouth full of ulcers, I was anaemic, had stomach issues and was constantly fatigued! The brain fog was hard to deal with, especially whilst working a high-pressured corporate events job. For ten years prior to my diagnosis I was told I had IBS as the blood tests for #coeliacdisease always came back negative. It wasn’t until I asked to be referred to a Gastro specialist and had a #colonoscopy and #endoscopy that I got my diagnosis. I remember this day, I felt SO relieved to finally know what was wrong with me and could start healing and feeling well again. I’ll share more of my story and healing journey throughout the month. Did you know? Coeliac Disease affects 1 in 100 people so it is not rare, yet only 36% of people with the condition in the UK are medically diagnosed. My mission is to help Coeliac UK raise awareness and get more people on the road to recovery. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms like stomach pain, extreme fatigue, mouth ulcers or chronic anaemia or if your child is vomiting or has slow growth it is recommended to take the #coeliacuk online self-assessment and speak to your healthcare professional about being tested. If you have #CoeliacDisease and you’d like some support to speed up your recovery, drop me a DM to book in for a FREE consultation. All my love Hayley 🧡

We're delighted to see Sophie Montague enjoying a delicious meal at Pho Restaurant, one of our Gluten Free accredited venues with a 98% gluten free menu. During Coeliac Awareness Month, it's heartening to highlight the joy and confidence that comes from dining at establishments like Pho, where those that have been diagnosed with coeliac disease can enjoy a wide variety of tasty options. Pho's dedication to providing gluten free choices makes it a standout destination for our community with their commitment to quality and safety . We're proud to partner with such establishments that make a positive impact on the lives of those that need to live gluten free. #CoeliacAwarenessMonth #CoeliacStories #CoeliacUK #GFA #GlutenFreeAccreditation

Tim’s journey: unmasking the mental health impact of undiagnosed coeliac disease As we support Mental Health Awareness Week, Tim's story sheds light on the often overlooked connection between coeliac disease and mental health. Before his diagnosis, Tim battled anxiety and withdrew from social activities, unaware of the underlying cause. Despite being a marathon runner, debilitating symptoms like stomach pain and brain fog plagued him. After numerous doctor visits, Tim finally found the answer through Coeliac UK's self-assessment tool, leading to a life-changing diagnosis. The relief was palpable, marking the second happiest day of his life, next to his wedding. After starting a gluten free diet, Tim regained his health and passion for running and is back on full form. If you resonate with Tim's experience, it's crucial to explore further. Visit https://bit.ly/4dlTIVu for information and take our online self-assessment today. #CoeliacAwarenessMonth #CoeliacStories #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Meet Natalie, a specialist paediatric registered dietitian with nearly two decades of experience at the highest clinical level. Based at one of London's top children's hospitals for over 14 years, Natalie's passion lies in helping children with gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders. Now, she shares her personal journey as a mother preparing her 10 year old daughter Amelie, who has coeliac disease, for a school trip away from home. Read more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/e9v9Z6wj #CoeliacAwarenessMonth #GlutenFree #Dietitian #Gastro #Autoimmune #GlutenFreeChildren #CoeliacUK

10 Years diagnosed this year 💛! I like many, was diagnosed with IBS for years before a blood test for Coeliac Disease was offered. Unfortunately I was given the wrong blood results so by the time it was picked up that I required a gut biopsy I had already begun eating gluten free (to try and make myself feel better). This hampered an official diagnosis by biopsy as I wasn't told to keep eating normally but due to my blood results being so high a probable diagnosis was made to prevent me having to go back onto a gluten diet to then biopsy my gut a second time. I faced many stumbling blocks during my diagnosis journey, I can only hope that now the process is better and that less people struggle for diagnosis. It is still difficult trying to get others to understand what Coeliac disease is and that no I can't just eat that cake as a one off (as much as I would love to 😫) but there has been mass improvements in the 10 years since I was diagnosed and I can only hope one day for a cure so I can enjoy a real buttery or choose anything I want off a menu once again!

Why is Carly posting a picture of cake on LinkedIn? This isn't Instagram, you know!   It's because May is #CoeliacAwarenessMonth which highlights the estimated 500 000 people in the UK with coeliac disease who are undiagnosed. Many of them might have atypical symptoms. You might like to visit the Coeliac UK symptom checker to see if you recognise any: https://lnkd.in/esUiQ-q2   My own coeliac diagnosis came about because I was getting persistent headaches, but adopting a #glutenfree diet also led to lots of other niggly health issues clearing up too. It's also given me a geek-level interest in food and #nutrition; led to taking a nutrition diploma in 2014, meeting lots of friends in the 'free from' world and making and eating a LOT of cake.     Having coeliac needn't be restrictive, and may lead you down new paths :)

May is Coeliac Awareness Month! 🧡 Something you may know not about me is that I was diagnosed with coeliac disease when I was 17. It took around five years of going back and forth with the doctors to understand what was going on and as a result I was diagnosed with coeliac. Coeliac is fairly common in people in the UK. 1 in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, but only 36% are diagnosed. That leaves over half a million people suffering with symptoms and are unaware of the disease. The main symptoms include: • Fatigue • Bowel changes • Stomach aches and/or bloating • Unintentional weight loss • Anaemia • Skin Rashes Amongst a host of other symptoms. Since my diagnosis, I’ve noticed there is a misconception that being coeliac is ‘just a healthier choice’, or an intolerance. In reality it is actually an autoimmune disease and if left untreated can cause other heath issues. I am often faced with restaurants that will label items as gluten free options but aren’t actually coeliac friendly due to cross contamination and lack of awareness of the disease. If you are struggling with symptoms that may be coeliac disease, please make sure to speak with your GP. Also follow Coeliac UK who are a fantastic charity that is dedicated to helping spread awareness of the disease as well as a wonderful community. #coeliacawarenessmonth

7 years since diagnosis and what a quick 7 years it has been! I was misdiagnosed with a ‘sickness bug’ after spending 2 nights in hospital on constant fluids and pain relief. Luckily for me (in a sense), Coeliac Disease runs in my family and so my mum knew to push for more answers. After being told I was Anaemic I was finally given the blood test for Coeliac Disease which came back positive. Following this I had an endoscopy and I finally got the diagnosis that was needed! 7 years on and I am feeling more healthy and managing a perfectly good gluten free diet. Coeliac UK is a great charity and has helped me massively since my diagnosis from support to lots of helpful hints and tips!

Learn how to fuel your gluten free journey with our Calcium & Iron Workshop. Gain the knowledge you need to confidently manage your gluten free diet. Join us on 21 May! Book your place now here: https://bit.ly/45PvLSJ *Coeliac UK members receive 20% off bookings. #CoeliacAwarenessMonth #DietAndHealth #Diet #CoeliacDisease #Coeliac