Disclosure: The links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Bear in mind that I link this company because of my genuine belief in their service and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases!
I’ve been sick for a little over a month now without any explanation and no remedies. It has unfortunately affected my ability to be as active with my children and it kills me.
So I am officially on the hunt to figure out the cause, with my biggest suspicion being celiac disease; Thanks to Let’s Get Checked I’ll be able to do my test from the comfort of my home.
Now.. What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed people.
In simpler terms, celiac disease is defined as moderate to severe discomfort following the consumption of gluten-containing foods. The only way to find out if you have celiac disease is to take a celiac disease blood test.
Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye and barley. If you are living with celiac disease, your body’s immune system will reject the protein in the food you eat.
If you have celiac disease and eat gluten, the villi (hair like projections that line your intestines) will be damaged.
Villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients when you consume food. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.
Damaged villi puts the small intestine under attack and leads a wide range of signs and symptoms associated with celiac disease.
This diagram shows the difference between those who suffer from celiac disease and those who do not.
On the left, you see what villi and epithelial cells look like in those who have a healthy small intestine. The structures are rounded and fit for purpose in enabling healthy digestion.
On the right, you see what damaged villi and epithelial cells look like. As the structures are flattened, they are less able to carry out their role in digestive function. This creates a negative domino effect for other physiological functions, including reproduction. (Read: Does celiac disease cause infertility?)
A wheat allergy differs from celiac disease. Those who are intolerant to gluten will experience similar symptoms to those with celiac disease, however, there is no autoimmune response and the lining of the intestine will not be damaged to the same degree.
Let’s Get Checked will hopefully allow me to pinpoint my illness one test at a time. With the gluten free craze right now, have you wondered if you’ve got celiac disease? Try the Coelic test and get 20% off with code SIMPLYKARALIZ
They’ve also got a TON of other tests from hormones, thyroid tests, to Men’s/Women’s sexual health, and more.
(I was compensated for this post, all opinions are my own)
