Celiac Disease and Iron Deficiency

My sister-in-law e-mailed me to let me know about her friend's blog which details the problems she has had with iron deficiency. She hasn't been able to absorb iron through supplements or food, and then reacted to the iron given to her through an IV.  She recently had an upper g.i., and they found that her villi were flattened.  She is waiting for an official diagnosis, but it appears to be celiac disease.

Isn't it surprising how many symptoms there are for celiac disease?  It seems extremely important that those of us with celiac disease are aware of the most common symptoms, so we can help others to know if they should be tested.  Here is a list from the Mayo Clinic:

There are no typical signs and symptoms of celiac disease. Most people with the disease have general complaints, such as:

• Intermittent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating

Sometimes people with celiac disease may have no gastrointestinal symptoms at all. Celiac disease symptoms can also mimic those of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers, Crohn's disease, parasite infections and anemia.

Celiac disease may also present itself in less obvious ways, including:

• Irritability or depression
• Anemia
• Stomach upset
• Joint pain
• Muscle cramps
• Skin rash
• Mouth sores
• Dental and bone disorders (such as osteoporosis)
• Tingling in the legs and feet (neuropathy)

Some indications of malabsorption of nutrients that may result from celiac disease include:

• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps, gas and bloating
• General weakness and fatigue
• Foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be fatty or oily
• Stunted growth (in children)
• Osteoporosis

Another gluten-related condition
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin disease that also stems from gluten intolerance. The rash usually occurs on the torso, scalp and buttocks. Dermatitis herpetiformis can cause changes to the lining of the small intestine similar to that of celiac disease. However, it may not produce noticeable digestive symptoms. This disease is treated with a gluten-free diet, in addition to medication to control the rash.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/celiac-disease/DS00319/DSECTION=symptoms