Am I Gluten Intolerant?
Use this calculator to help you determine your ideal fat intake based on your sex, height, weight, activity level, and fitness goal!
1. Tell us about yourself
Let us know what your goals are and we’ll find the right dietitian for you.
2. Provide your insurance
All our dietitians are in-network. You can relax and focus on your health.
3. Book an appointment
Use telehealth to meet with your Registered Dietitian wherever you are.
Beyond people with celiac disease, the gluten-free diet has also been shown to potentially help treat a wide range of health conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), skin conditions, auto-immune diseases, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Symptoms can be similar among these health conditions, making it hard to determine the cause and seek treatment.
What Is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten is a protein commonly found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye.
People with gluten intolerance, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, typically have IBS-like symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain, fatigue, rash, and discomfort when consuming gluten.
Some research indicates that it may only be wheat-containing foods or certain types of gluten-containing foods that trigger symptoms.
Gluten intolerance can exhibit differently for each person, making it confusing and complicated to manage.
Some people find they have to avoid all forms of gluten, others can avoid wheat forms of gluten, and still others struggle with gluten and fructans (a type of carbohydrate found in some fruits, vegetables, cereals, and grains).
Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease
Gluten intolerance is different from celiac disease but has some similarities.
People with gluten intolerance usually don’t have extensive intestinal damage, malabsorption, or antibody formation as with celiac disease. However, they may experience unpleasant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after eating gluten. Gluten intolerance is harder to diagnose due to the lack of accurate tests.
Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population. It is often diagnosed through an intestinal biopsy and blood tests, but other tests may also be used. Diagnosis requires a life-long gluten-free diet to reverse the inflammatory process in the small intestines.
Individuals with celiac disease have observable intestine damage, leading to complications like malabsorption, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Malabsorption can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, causing osteoporosis, anemia, and stunted growth.
Both conditions improve by following a gluten-free diet.
Can I Have Gluten Intolerance Without Knowing?
You could have gluten intolerance without knowing. Many digestive health conditions can result in similar signs and symptoms, making it difficult to isolate the cause.
Common Signs And Symptoms
Signs and symptoms can vary between people but generally include the following after consuming gluten:
- Bloating.
- Stomach pain.
- Fatigue.
- Rash.
- Discomfort.
- Cognitive impairment (brain fog, problems with memory, attention, mental speed, and multi-tasking).
- Depression.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation (fewer than three bowel movements weekly).
- Headaches.
- Bone or joint pain.
Getting a diagnosis for your signs and symptoms can help you take proactive steps to optimize your health and prevent side effects and possible complications.
Am I Gluten Intolerant Quiz: 7 Questions
Take this seven-question gluten intolerant quiz to determine if you have gluten issues. Discuss your responses with your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options.
This quiz is not intended to replace a medical diagnosis and is not a validated tool for diagnosing gluten intolerance.
1. Do I experience digestive issues after eating foods containing gluten?
Digestive issues often include bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. These digestive issues after consuming foods containing gluten could indicate gluten intolerance.
Other GI health conditions, such as IBS and inflammatory bowel disease, can also cause similar digestive issues which is why it’s important to be assessed.
2. Have I been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder or thyroid condition?
People with the following health conditions are often more likely to be intolerant to gluten: Hashimoto’s disease (autoimmune thyroid condition), type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Additionally, these health conditions often coexist. Twenty percent of people with celiac disease have Hashimoto’s disease, and 17% of people with type 1 diabetes have Hashimoto’s disease.
People with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease share similar genetic backgrounds that predispose them to both conditions. Around 4 to 5% of people with type 1 diabetes also have celiac disease.
With rheumatoid arthritis, gluten may have an inflammatory effect on the digestive system.
3. Do I feel fatigued or lethargic after consuming gluten?
Individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity often report feeling fatigued if consuming gluten.
After twelve months of following a gluten-free diet, individuals with celiac disease reported a significant reduction in the prevalence and severity of their fatigue.
4. Have I noticed skin changes or rashes after eating gluten?
Itchy skin, along with blisters, is a type of skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis that occurs after eating gluten for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
After following a gluten-free diet, most individuals with this uncomfortable side effect were able to reduce or stop their medications to treat dermatitis herpetiformis.
Skin changes and rashes are common side effects of various food allergies and intolerances; seeking a correct diagnosis from an allergist or immunologist can help find ways to alleviate your symptoms.
5. Do I have a family history of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity?
Celiac disease development involves genetics and environment, leading to an inappropriate immune attack on the intestines after consuming gluten.
Research shows a strong genetic component for developing celiac disease.
Additionally, a family history of non-celiac gluten sensitivity could indicate an increased risk, as similar genetic patterns were found between several autoimmune health conditions.
6. Am I trying to lose weight without success despite following a healthy diet?
Weight loss is more common with gluten intolerance and celiac disease due to the damage to the intestines and reduced absorption.
However, weight gain can occur due to increased inflammation caused by consuming gluten, which the body considers harmful. Gluten intolerance can trigger gut dysbiosis and inflammation.
Whenever weight changes occur that don’t make sense, it’s wise to seek support with pinpointing the cause.
7. Do I feel bloated after eating gluten?
Bloating or gas build-up in the digestive tract is uncomfortable and even painful.
Bloating can be a common sign of abnormal digestion reported among people with gluten intolerance.
If you experience bloating regularly after consuming foods with gluten, you might be intolerant. Tracking foods that trigger symptoms is helpful in developing an action plan with a dietitian.
Share results from this quiz and other symptoms to determine the best treatment plan for your gut health.
Takeaway
Digestive health is essential for your overall well-being and health.
Symptoms can be similar among various GI conditions, making it hard to determine your trigger foods and best treatment plan.
Our gluten intolerance quiz may help you identify common symptoms and risk factors.
Healthcare providers can conduct extra testing and referrals to GI and allergy specialists to help you reach a diagnosis.
A registered dietitian can help you explore a gluten-free diet to manage gluten-intolerant symptoms.
How A Dietitian Can Help
You may notice that gluten and possibly other foods trigger your symptoms.
Navigating the conflicting information about nutrition and gluten online can be confusing.
A Nourish registered dietitian specializing in gut health can give you research-based advice and help create a nourishing and sustainable eating plan that promotes gut health.
Here is some more information on gut health and gluten written by registered dietitians:
