At Connect Health, we believe that longevity isn’t just about adding years to your life — it’s about optimizing your health so those years are vibrant, energetic, and disease-free. One often-overlooked condition that can silently undermine this goal is celiac disease. 

What is Celiac Disease? 

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where the ingestion of gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers the immune system to attack the small intestine. Over time, this immune response damages the intestinal lining, impairing nutrient absorption and leading to widespread health consequences. 

Symptoms can vary widely and include: 

• Chronic bloating, diarrhea, or constipation 

• Fatigue and brain fog 

• Nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12, calcium) 

• Skin rashes (dermatitis herpetiformis) 

• Unexplained anemia, osteoporosis, or even infertility 

However, up to 60-70% of people with celiac disease remain undiagnosed, often because symptoms are subtle or attributed to other causes. 

Gluten Sensitivity vs. Celiac Disease 

Not everyone who feels better avoiding gluten has celiac disease. Some individuals experience non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) — a condition where gluten triggers digestive discomfort, brain fog, or fatigue, but without the autoimmune intestinal damage seen in celiac disease. 

While NCGS doesn’t carry the same long-term risks, unmanaged celiac disease can lead to serious complications, including: 

• Osteoporosis 

• Autoimmune thyroid disease 

• Liver dysfunction 

• Increased risk of certain cancers 

How Can We Screen for Celiac Disease? 

At Connect Health, we believe in proactive, comprehensive screening — even for conditions that may fly under the radar. 

The first step in diagnosing celiac disease is a simple blood test that measures antibodies associated with gluten-triggered autoimmunity. Specifically, we look at: 

• Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA): The most sensitive and specific marker for celiac disease. 

• Total Serum IgA: To rule out IgA deficiency, which can cause false negatives. 

For those with a family history or unexplained symptoms, genetic testing can identify the presence of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes — the genetic markers required to develop celiac disease. While having these genes doesn’t mean you have the disease, their absence effectively rules it out. 

If blood tests are positive, a small intestinal biopsy via endoscopy remains the gold standard for confirming diagnosis. 

Whether it’s celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or any other condition that can impact your vitality, our philosophy is simple: test, don’t guess. Early detection allows for early intervention, helping you avoid long-term complications and live your healthiest life. 

If you’re experiencing digestive issues, unexplained nutrient deficiencies, or simply want to ensure you’re not missing an important piece of your health puzzle, talk to us about celiac screening.  

Your gut health is foundational — let’s optimize it together.