Could it be Coeliac?

Coeliac disease is one of those conditions that’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, missed for years, or lumped in with other gut issues like IBS. But this autoimmune condition deserves real attention—not just because it can seriously affect quality of life, but because with the right approach, there’s so much we can do to support healing.

Let’s unpack coeliac disease, the natural way.

What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system reacts to gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley—causing damage to the small intestine lining, particularly the villi (the little finger-like projections that absorb nutrients).

This damage means nutrients can’t be absorbed properly, leading to a range of health issues that extend far beyond the gut.

How Common is It?

Coeliac disease affects about 1 in 70 Australians—but here’s the kicker: around 80% of people with coeliac disease don’t know they have it.

That means tens of thousands of people are living with unexplained symptoms, misdiagnosed with other conditions, or have simply been told their symptoms are “just stress” or “just IBS.”

Symptoms of Coeliac Disease

Symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Some people have classic digestive symptoms, while others may have none at all—or present with symptoms that don’t seem gut-related at first.

Common symptoms include:

• Bloating, gas, and diarrhoea

• Fatigue

• Nutrient deficiencies that don’t improve with supplements (e.g. low iron, vitamin D, or B12)

• Brain fog

• Joint or bone pain

• Menstrual irregularities

• Skin issues (including dermatitis herpetiformis)

• Unexplained weight loss

• Delayed growth in children

Because coeliac disease affects nutrient absorption, the ripple effects can show up in every body system—hormones, energy, immune health, even mood.

Diagnosing Coeliac Disease

Diagnosis starts with a blood test for coeliac-specific antibodies. If positive, the next step is usually a small bowel biopsy via coloscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Important: If you’re considering testing for coeliac disease, don’t go gluten-free beforehand—even if gluten makes you feel awful. You need to be consuming gluten regularly (usually for at least 6 weeks) for the tests to be accurate. I know it’s not fun, but it’s worth getting a clear answer. I do acknowledge that in some severe coeliac cases, consuming gluten is not an option (due to the severity of symptoms). In these cases, I would suggest genetic testing.

What About Genetics?

There’s a strong genetic component to coeliac disease. The two main genes involved are HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8.

Having one (or both) of these genes doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop coeliac disease—but it does mean you’re at risk. Around 30% of people carry these genes, but only a small percentage will go on to develop the condition.

Genetic testing can be useful if:

• You’ve already gone gluten-free and don’t want to reintroduce gluten just to test (especially if you experience severe symptoms).

• You have a family history of coeliac disease and want to know your risk.

• You’re trying to understand the root cause of chronic symptoms or autoimmune issues.

The Natural Approach

Here’s where a naturopathic perspective really shines. While an EXTREMELY strict gluten-free diet is the non-negotiable foundation of managing coeliac disease, there’s a lot more to supporting gut and whole-body healing.

1. Functional Testing

I often recommend:

• Comprehensive stool testing (e.g. through Co-Biome) to assess gut microbiome balance, inflammation, and digestive function.

• Nutrient testing (iron studies, B12, folate, vitamin D, zinc).

2. Supporting Gut Healing

After gluten is removed, the small intestine still needs time—and support—to heal. I like to use microbiome testing through Co-Biome to personalise my approach for each individual. Some key strategies I use include:

• Gut-healing nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, and aloe vera.

• Herbal medicine to reduce immune activation (not through suppression, but rather modulation).

• Probiotics and prebiotics to restore microbiome balance

• Bitter herbs or digestive enzymes to support digestion and nutrient absorption.

3. Nourishment & Lifestyle

• A gentle, healing dietary approach in the short-term to help heal the damaged gut. I may suggest using only fresh foods (to reduce further immune activation due to histamine content). Preferably steaming or cooking vegetables to improve breakdown and absorption nutrients. And foods like stewed apple,

• Anti-inflammatory, whole-food diet (gluten-free, of course!) that’s rich in colourful veggies, healthy fats, and good-quality proteins. If I am working with a severe case, we may like to start off with a diet that is more gentle on the stomach and easier to absorb

• Nervous system support, as the gut-brain connection is deeply affected in coeliac.

• Addressing stress, which plays a huge role in flare-ups and gut repair.

• Holistic support for fatigue, mood, and hormonal balance—all of which can be impacted by years of malabsorption.

You Deserve to Feel Better

If you suspect coeliac disease, or you’ve already been diagnosed but still don’t feel great, please know you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. Consider getting a naturopath or nutritionist on your team to help you navigate your coeliac disease in a way that helps you to thrive!

If you’re keen on working with me, just reach out below!

AUTHOR: TALITHA

I specialise in gut health (IBS, IBD, microbiome testing), women's health (preconception, fertility, hormone balance), and mental health (depression, stress, anxiety). I am a degree- qualified naturopath who LOVES helping people transform their health stories!!