Here are some facts from The University of Chicago that are applicable to me. Over and over, it is stated that infertility and miscarriage are symptoms of Celiac Disease. For some reason, all of this is hitting me hard today. I'm angry that my doctors didn't consider CD at any point until
I brought it up. Even then, my primary care provider was reluctant to test me for it and seemed a bit offended that I would suggest something. He completely dismissed me when my blood test came back negative, despite my blatantly obvious DH rash. My original OB gave me dose after dose of Clomid, unmonitored, despite the fact that all of my hormone levels were normal.
Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful that I finally know what is going on, but it is infuriating that it took so long for anything to be done about it--and even at this point, I'm not sure if my MD would acknowledge it. My new OB is receptive and supportive, thankfully. I just pray that this is the key factor in getting and staying pregnant.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine. The small intestine is connected to the stomach-the first parts of the small intestine, the duodenum and the jejunum, are where celiac disease is commonly found.
When a person who has celiac disease consumes gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, the individual's immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of important nutrients into the body.
Specifically, tiny fingerlike protrusions, called villi, on the lining of the small intestine are lost. Nutrients from food are absorbed into the bloodstream through these villi. Celiac disease can be associated to other autoimmune disorders and, undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to osteoporosis, infertility, neurological conditions and in rare cases, cancer.
What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an itchy, blistering skin condition that is a form of celiac disease. The rash usually occurs on the elbows, knees, and buttocks and is characterized by its bilateral nature; both knees (and/or both arms) are affected, seldom just one. Many people with DH have no digestive symptoms and only about 40% of them have the positive blood tests (serology) for celiac disease: however, they almost always have the same, gluten-dependent intestinal damage as people with celiac disease.
Unless otherwise specified, the information pertaining to celiac disease also pertains to people with dermatitis herpetiformis. In addition to following a strict gluten free diet, DH is also commonly treated with a medication called Dapsone.
Additionally, celiac disease often presents with seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, anemia and infertility, making diagnosis that much more difficult.
Symptoms may or may not occur in the digestive system. For example, one person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person has infertility or anemia. Some people develop celiac disease as children, others as adults. Symptoms of celiac disease may include one or more of the following:
- Recurring abdominal bloating and pain
- Chronic diarrhea/constipation
- Vomiting
- Liver and biliary tract disorders ("Transaminitis," fatty liver, primary sclerosing cholangitis etc.)
- Weight loss
- Pale, foul-smelling stool
- Iron-deficiency anemia that does not respond to iron therapy
- Fatigue
- Failure to thrive or short stature
- Delayed puberty
- Pain in the joints
- Tingling numbness in the legs
- Pale sores inside the mouth
- A skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)
- Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
- Unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage
- Osteopenia (mild) or osteoporosis (more serious bone density problem)
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression
Any individual who has experienced persistent miscarriage or infertility where a medical cause could not be found needs to be tested for celiac disease.
