#38: No Tummy Troubles? You Might Still Have Celiac
When most people think of celiac disease, they picture stomach pain, bloating, or running to the bathroom. But what if I told you that you could have celiac — and serious intestinal damage — without any stomach symptoms at all?
It’s called Silent Celiac, and it’s far more common than you might think. Today, I’ll walk you through what Silent Celiac is, how it shows up in the body, and why it’s so important not to overlook.
And stick around to the end, because I’ll share the surprising way Silent Celiac showed up in my own journey.
Let's Recap: No Tummy Troubles? You Might Still Have Celiac
When we think about celiac disease, most of us immediately picture someone rushing to the bathroom or doubled over with stomach pain. But what if I told you that many people with celiac disease never experience these classic symptoms at all?
This phenomenon, known as silent celiac, affects countless individuals who suffer intestinal damage without the telltale digestive distress that typically leads to diagnosis.
What Is Silent Celiac?
Silent celiac is exactly what it sounds like—celiac disease that doesn't announce itself with the expected digestive symptoms. Instead, it operates behind the scenes, damaging the small intestine and interfering with nutrient absorption while manifesting in seemingly unrelated ways.
This makes it particularly dangerous, as many patients and even healthcare providers may not connect these diverse symptoms to an autoimmune reaction to gluten.
Symptoms Beyond Digestion
So, what does silent celiac look like? Instead of stomach pain or diarrhea, people with silent celiac may experience:
Crushing fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Persistent brain fog that interferes with daily life
Unexplained anemia unresponsive to iron supplements
Bone density issues like osteopenia or osteoporosis at an early age
Skin rashes, particularly dermatitis herpetiformis
Mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and mood swings
Reproductive health issues such as infertility, recurrent miscarriages, or irregular cycles
Childhood complications like delayed growth, late puberty, or persistent constipation
These wide-ranging symptoms often don’t seem connected, which is what allows silent celiac to remain undetected.
The Danger of Going Undiagnosed
The real risk of silent celiac lies in its stealth. Without obvious digestive symptoms prompting investigation, intestinal damage can continue unchecked for years—or even decades.
As the small intestine’s villi break down, nutrient absorption is impaired, leading to deficiencies that affect virtually every system in the body. Left untreated, silent celiac also raises the risk of other autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer.
A powerful example comes from the podcast episode referenced here: a family member who fainted regularly due to severe anemia never suspected celiac disease was the culprit. Only when someone recognized the pattern of symptoms did testing finally lead to an answer.
Why Is Silent Celiac Missed?
There are several reasons this condition often goes undiagnosed:
Classic symptoms are absent. Doctors usually look for digestive distress before ordering celiac tests.
Symptoms mimic other issues. Fatigue, anemia, or mood changes can easily be explained away by stress, aging, or unrelated conditions.
Testing complications. If someone reduces gluten before testing, results may be inaccurate.
Family history isn’t considered. First-degree relatives of someone with celiac are at much higher risk and should be screened, regardless of symptoms.
My Personal Experience
My own journey with silent celiac highlights how insidious this condition can be. While I sometimes experienced digestive inconsistencies, they weren’t tied to specific foods. Instead, my body sent other signals:
Brain fog and persistent fatigue
Nutrient deficiencies that didn’t resolve
Osteopenia diagnosed at just 37 years old
Mood changes and irritability that felt unlike me
It wasn’t until I was diagnosed—and removed gluten from my diet—that I understood how unwell I had truly been. The difference was striking.
The Key Takeaway
Celiac disease doesn’t always follow the textbook. If you’re struggling with unexplained health issues—especially with a family history of celiac—talk to your healthcare provider about testing, even if digestive symptoms aren’t present.
Early diagnosis can prevent years of suffering and long-term complications. Remember: celiac is a genetic disorder, and its symptoms reach far beyond the bathroom.
