Coeliac UK reposted this
A medical diagnosis of coeliac disease not only changed my life but also had a huge impact on my family. A diagnosis of coeliac disease isn't as straightforward as it may seem and in my situation it set off a whole other chain of circumstances. During the testing process and when I was diagnosed, it was discovered I also had osteopenia and was completely deficient in IGA deficiency. Not only had I now to adapt to a completely new diet living gluten free, I also had to process the news that the calcium absorption problems experienced before diagnosis had affected my bone health. This was hard to take when I was still in my twenties. IGA deficiency was also something I had never heard of (IgA deficiency is a condition where the body doesn't produce enough immunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody that helps fight infections. This can make people more prone to infections, ). This caused me lots of worry and affected me mentally particularly in the early days of COVID-19! I adapted though and as mentioned in my earlier post, got back to good health. This is where testing is key though. I noticed after my diagnosis a lot signs similar to my symptoms in my dad. I mentioned to him frequently to get tested as there was an increased chance of family also having coeliac disease. He eventually got the blood test and biopsy and got diagnosed at age 60. Fast forward to last year and my sister has also now been diagnosed. My advice is to persevere with your healthcare professional, push for testing with family members if you recognise symptoms and please try and keep gluten in your diet when in the testing process! We might be struggling for support within the NHS at the moment but the diagnosis is also important if you start experiencing other health issues and on your overall health. I think my story shows how important that diagnosis can be! It could not only impact your life but those who we love around us! #CoeliacStories #CoeliacAwarenessMonth
This Coeliac Awareness Month, we want to highlight the importance of a medical diagnosis of coeliac disease. Symptoms can often be mistaken, leading to delays in proper management and care. Remember, It is crucial not to remove gluten from your diet before testing. Visit isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk now to complete our free online self-assessment #CoeliacAwarenessMonth #CoeliacStories #CoeliacDisease #CoeliacUK #GlutenFreeDiet