Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in foods containing wheat, barley and rye.

The human body can’t digest gluten and the ingestion of it increases gut permeability (leaky gut). Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are the ones reacting to the gluten “threat”. HLA is involved in the immune response and they help to distinguish between own and foreign cells.

When individuals with coeliac disease eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in the small intestine causing damage to the surface of the small intestine resulting in an inability to absorb certain nutrients from food, causing a wealth of unpleasant symptoms, including bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, headaches, fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic autoimmune conditions. 

The gold standard for CD diagnostics is biopsy in endoscopy. However there is screening test from blood and Genetic testing available.