Indications You May Have Celiac Disease

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia may be a symptom of celiac disease. Between ten and fifteen percent of all individuals who have celiac disease present with iron-deficiency anemia at least once throughout the course of their disease. It is estimated around three percent of all iron-deficiency anemia patients also have celiac disease. The mechanism behind this symptom involves the proximal small intestine's inability to absorb folate, iron, or both from the food consumed. In advanced cases of celiac disease with damage to the patient's ileum, an impairment in the absorption of vitamin B12 may also be present. When an individual becomes deficient in iron, folate, or vitamin B12, their body can not produce an adequate amount of healthy red blood cells (anemia). This can result in fatigue, weakness, glossitis, dizziness, shortness of breath, high heart rate, and lightheadedness. Anemia may also cause orthostatic hypotension, which is low blood pressure upon changing positions. Celiac disease patients have abnormal lab results consisting of low iron serum, low hemoglobin, and prolonged prothrombin time.