Damage to the small intestine caused by celiac disease can lead to an array of symptoms in different individuals.[1] The main symptoms can include any of the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gas
- Constipation
- Chronic diarrhea
- Abnormal stools
- Lactose intolerance
People with celiac disease may also experience symptoms in other parts of the body, including the following:
- Fatigue
- Bone or joint pain
- Mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety
- Infertility
- Delayed menstrual cycle
- Nervous system problems, such as impaired balance, headaches, peripheral neuropathy, or seizures
- Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), an itchy, blistering skin rash
These other symptoms can be due to micronutrient deficiencies from malabsorption (caused by damage to the small intestine) or, in the case of DH, an autoimmune reaction to gluten ingestion.