7 Celiac Disease Symptoms in Adults and Children That May Surprise You

You may be seeing more gluten-free foods and snacks on the shelves these days — and for good reason. The number of people diagnosed with celiac disease in the U.S. continues to increase. 

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It damages the small intestine and can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients. But celiac disease doesn’t always cause digestive symptoms. Symptoms vary widely and can affect many parts of your body and health. 

Here are the most common symptoms of celiac disease — both in and beyond the gut.

What are the ‘classic’ symptoms of celiac disease?

The “classic” symptoms of celiac disease affect the gut.

When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the lining of the small intestine. This can cause digestive symptoms, like:

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Bloating and gas

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Foul-smelling or greasy stools

• Heartburn or acid reflux

• Unexplained weight loss

But you can have celiac disease even if you don’t have any of these symptoms. Digestive symptoms are generally more common in children than in adults. 

What are other common symptoms of celiac disease?

Growing research shows that celiac disease can affect the entire body, not just the gut. Medical experts and advocates are raising awareness of these symptoms so people don’t miss the warning signs of celiac disease.

More than half of people with celiac disease experience symptoms that don’t involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Here are seven possible symptoms of celiac disease.

1. Rashes

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a very itchy, raised rash that can form blisters. It usually shows up in clusters around your elbows, knees, trunk, or scalp. About 10% to 20% of adults with untreated celiac disease develop this rash. It’s less common in children. 

2. Fatigue

Studies show that about 1 in 3 people with celiac disease report fatigue at the time of their diagnosis. The fatigue may be constant or come and go. 

There are several reasons celiac disease can lead to fatigue. Damage to the small intestine can prevent the body from absorbing enough iron, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. 

A lack of iron can make you feel tired, weak, short of breath, and dizzy. A healthcare professional may recommend testing for celiac disease if you have iron-deficiency anemia without a clear cause, or if your anemia doesn’t get better after taking iron supplements. 

People with celiac disease are more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid disease. An underactive thyroid can also make you feel tired and sluggish. 

3. Numbness and tingling

Some people with celiac disease report numbness, tingling, and burning in their hands and feet. This is called peripheral neuropathy.

Research suggests that people with celiac disease have a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy than people without the condition. Some people develop numbness and tingling before digestive symptoms, or without digestive symptoms at all.

4. Mood changes

There’s a link between mood changes and celiac disease. People with celiac disease report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and low mood. Some also experience brain fog and difficulty concentrating. Some people with celiac disease report improved mood and concentration when they start a gluten-free diet.

5. Mouth pain

Celiac disease can lead to a few different mouth-related issues. Before starting a gluten-free diet, some people with celiac disease get frequent canker sores. They can also experience atrophic glossitis — inflammation that can make the tongue look smooth and red, and cause pain or burning. 

Mouth discomfort often comes from poor absorption of nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and folate. This is why it’s important to have these levels checked if you have celiac disease and mouth pain. Sticking to a gluten-free diet and correcting any nutrient deficiencies often helps the sores and tongue soreness improve over time.

6. Fertility and pregnancy problems

Research shows that people who have celiac disease and stick to a gluten-free diet have the same chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy as everyone else. But without a gluten-free diet, there’s evidence that chances of infertility issues are higher. 

While the data around celiac disease and fertility isn’t totally clear, celiac advocates recommend that people who are having a hard time getting pregnant talk with their healthcare team about celiac testing.

7. Weak bones

Celiac disease makes it hard for the small intestine to absorb vitamins and minerals that keep bones strong and healthy, including calcium and vitamin D. This can lead to softening of the bones (osteomalacia) and loss of bone density (osteoporosis). These conditions can raise your risk of broken bones. 

The good news is that people with celiac disease who follow a strict gluten-free diet are able to improve their bone density. Eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D — like leafy greens, eggs, and tofu — helps with calcium absorption and bone strengthening. Weight-bearing exercise can also support bone health.

Symptoms of celiac disease in children

Children can have many of the same celiac symptoms as adults. But digestive and growth problems tend to be more common in infants and young children, especially those younger than 3 years. These can include:

• Diarrhea

• Bloated or swollen belly

• Poor appetite 

• Weight loss or lack of weight gain

• Irritability or mood changes

In older children and teens, symptoms can be vague and may occur beyond the gut. These can include:

• Delayed puberty

• Not reaching expected height or weight and other growth issues

• Damage to tooth enamel

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Joint pain

In general, symptoms shift with age. Younger children more often show the “classic” pattern of diarrhea and not reaching expected height and weight, also known as poor growth. And older children and teens are more likely to have subtle or nondigestive symptoms.

What should you do if you have symptoms of celiac disease?

If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms and aren’t sure what’s causing them, talk with your healthcare team about celiac testing.

You can also use the Symptom Assessment Tool from the Celiac Disease Foundation. This tool can’t diagnose celiac disease, but it can help you identify symptoms and risk factors. 

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Written by:

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in Florida. She has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 15 years and is currently a medical writer.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farah Naz Khan, MD

Farah Naz Khan, MD, is a board-certified physician at the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute and a clinical assistant professor of metabolism, endocrinology, and nutrition at the University of Washington.

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