What is gluten intolerance?
You may have a gluten intolerance if you get sick after eating gluten, a type of protein. You might feel tired, nauseous or bloated. Another name for gluten intolerance is non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Advertisem*nt
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and other grains. It’s in a lot of common foods and drinks, including pasta, cereal and beer. Gluten can also be in things like vitamins, cosmetics and even certain medications.
Are gluten intolerance and celiac disease the same thing?
Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are different. People with celiac disease have an autoimmune response to gluten. This means their bodies try to fight against gluten as if it were a virus. This reaction causes inflammation and damage to their digestive tracts. Celiac disease is the result of an abnormal gene. People with celiac disease also have high levels of certain antibodies in their blood, which are substances that fight gluten.
Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease cause a lot of the same symptoms. But people with gluten sensitivity don’t have an abnormal gene or antibodies in their blood.
Is gluten intolerance a gluten allergy?
An intolerance and a food allergy aren’t the same. A food allergy, such as a wheat allergy, is when your immune system overreacts after you eat a certain food. An allergy might cause itching, vomiting or shortness of breath. Gluten intolerance isn’t an allergy to gluten.
Who gets gluten intolerance?
Anyone can have a gluten intolerance, though it’s more common in women. Some people are born with a gluten intolerance; others develop it later in life.
How common is gluten intolerance?
Research suggests that about 6% of the U.S. population is gluten intolerant. It’s more common than celiac disease, which affects about 1% of the population.
FAQs
Currently, there is no test for gluten sensitivity. People with digestive symptoms that suggest celiac disease should see a gastroenterologist to determine their risk for either celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Can you be gluten sensitive but not celiac? ›
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing foods in the absence of celiac disease and wheat allergy.
What are the neurological symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity? ›
There's no question that gluten can affect your neurological system: people with both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity report symptoms that range from headaches and brain fog to peripheral neuropathy (tingling in your extremities).
What can be mistaken for gluten intolerance? ›
The symptoms of gluten intolerance may also resemble those of a wheat allergy or intestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Experts estimate that 10–15% of adults in the U.S. have IBS symptoms.
Can you test for gluten sensitivity at home? ›
If you're planning to try a temporary elimination diet to identify your sensitivities, consider taking the Everlywell at-home Food Sensitivity Test. This test checks your IgG antibody reactivity levels to 96 common food proteins—including gluten.
How long do non-celiac gluten sensitivity symptoms last? ›
The symptoms after eating gluten can last between a few hours to several days. The duration of symptoms depends on how sensitive you are to gluten and how much you were exposed to it. In other words, how long gluten stays in your system is strictly individual and varies by case.
Is non-celiac gluten sensitivity autoimmune? ›
NCGS has an immune-related background. Indeed there is a strong evidence that a selective activation of innate immunity may be the trigger for NCGS inflammatory response. The most commonly autoimmune disorders associated to NCGS are Hashimoto thyroiditis, dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis and rheumatologic diseases.
What does NCGS feel like? ›
Signs and symptoms of NCGS
Bloating or gas. Nausea. Cramping. Diarrhea and/or constipation.
How do you fix gluten sensitivity? ›
There's no cure for gluten intolerance. But most people find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. You should work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to plan your diet. You can also ask your healthcare provider about adding probiotics to your diet.
What is gluten ataxia? ›
gluten ataxia – autoimmune disorder whereby gluten ingestion damages the cerebellum, which controls gait and muscle coordination, and fine control of voluntary movements is compromised.
FAQs about gluten intolerance symptoms
The intestines make up most of the middle and lower abdomen, so “gluten belly” will look like any other type of lower digestive tract bloating. However, if bloating seems to be a regular or constant problem, that's a possible sign that it may be due to gluten intolerance.
What is gluten neuropathy? ›
In some cases, nerve pain may be the only symptom of gluten sensitivity. The type of nerve pain felt by many people with gluten sensitivity is called gluten neuropathy. There are many forms of neuropathy, and the most common type experienced by those with gluten sensitivity is known as peripheral axonal neuropathy.
Why is non-celiac gluten sensitivity difficult to diagnose? ›
Absence of reliable biomarkers and the fact that some people do not have digestive symptoms make the recognition and diagnosis of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) difficult. Diagnosis is generally performed only by exclusion criteria.
What can mimic celiac symptoms? ›
IBS and celiac disease can have very similar symptoms. Both cause symptoms like gastrointestinal upset, bloating, and gas. Because celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, however, people with celiac may also have whole-body symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and anemia.
Does gluten intolerance show up in blood work? ›
Serology testing looks for antibodies in your blood. Elevated levels of certain antibody proteins indicate an immune reaction to gluten. Genetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) can be used to rule out celiac disease.
Can I be tested for celiac if I don't eat gluten? ›
Keep in mind that going gluten-free before being tested for celiac disease can prevent diagnosis. However, people who have already adopted the gluten-free diet without having been tested for celiac disease can undergo a”gluten challenge” in order to receive accurate test results.
Can you test negative for celiac disease and still have gluten intolerance? ›
While it is very rare, it is possible for someone with celiac disease to have negative antibody test results. If your tests were negative, but you continue to experience symptoms, consult your physician and undergo further medical evaluation.
How is non-celiac diagnosed? ›
An IgE antibody test and skin prick test may be used to determine whether a patient is allergic to wheat.
