If you’ve ever wondered whether coeliac disease is “just a gluten intolerance” - it’s not.
If you’ve ever wondered whether coeliac disease is “just a gluten intolerance” – it’s not.
Coeliac disease is a serious, lifelong autoimmune condition that affects how the body digests and absorbs nutrients. And while awareness has grown, it’s still widely misunderstood and significantly underdiagnosed.
At Younger Longer, we believe understanding why something matters is just as important as knowing what to do. So let’s break it down – simply and clearly.
What Is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten, a protein found in:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Oats (unless certified gluten-free)
- Triticale (a wheat–rye hybrid)
Gluten shows up in far more than bread and pasta. It can be hidden in:
- Sauces and gravies
- Processed foods
- Supplements and sports products
- Medications
For people with coeliac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine.
Why That Damage Matters
The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi. Their job is to absorb nutrients – carbohydrates, fats, proteins and essential vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, zinc and B vitamins.
When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten:
The villi become inflamed and flattened
Nutrient absorption drops dramatically
Over time, this can lead to malnutrition, even if food intake seems adequate
Left untreated, this damage quietly impacts energy, bone health, immunity, hormones and long-term healthspan.
More Common Than You Think
Coeliac disease is far more prevalent than most people realise.
In Australia:
Around 1–2% of the population has coeliac disease
But only 10–20% are formally diagnosed
That means many people live for years, sometimes decades, with symptoms that affect quality of life without knowing the cause.
And while it’s often diagnosed in childhood, coeliac disease is just as likely to appear later in life, including after age 60.
There’s also a strong genetic link:
About 1 in 10 first-degree relatives of someone with coeliac disease will also have it
Identical twins have a much higher risk
Signs and Symptoms: Not Just a Gut Issue
Coeliac disease doesn’t look the same in everyone. Symptoms vary widely and don’t always involve digestion.
Common symptoms include:
- Ongoing fatigue and lethargy
- Bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation
- Reflux, nausea or vomiting
Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Bone or joint pain
- Muscle cramps
- Mouth ulcers
- Skin rashes (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Brain fog, irritability, mood changes
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Delayed growth in children or shorter stature in adults
Because symptoms overlap with conditions like IBS, chronic fatigue, or Crohn’s disease, proper diagnosis is critical.