Track
A test result · Small bowel · see where this sits
Celiac disease
You’ve just been told you have celiac disease. The real question is what changes now.
- It’s manageable with diet
- The intestine can heal
- It’s common — you are not alone
- A dietitian makes this much easier
What changed?
You now have a name for what’s been happening. In celiac disease, gluten — a protein in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers your immune system to damage the lining of the small intestine. The diagnosis doesn’t make you sicker; it gives you the one lever that fixes it.
Why symptoms happen
A damaged intestinal lining absorbs food poorly. That’s what drives the bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, or low iron. Remove the gluten and the lining repairs itself over months — which is why symptoms ease before the healing is fully complete.
What happens next
A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet — and the skills that make it livable: reading labels, avoiding cross-contamination, spotting hidden gluten. We also check iron, vitamin D, and bone health, and recheck your TTG antibodies over time to confirm the diet is working.
Common questions
Is this an allergy?
No. A wheat allergy is a different, allergic reaction. Celiac disease is an immune condition that damages the intestine and is managed differently.
Can I cheat occasionally?
Even small amounts can restart the damage, often silently. The diet works best when it’s consistent — treat it as all-in rather than mostly.
Should my family be tested?
Yes. It runs in families. First-degree relatives should be tested even without symptoms. A simple blood test starts it.
Take the tools you need to move your care forward.
Continue in Celiac OS
Celiac OS continues from here: learn the gluten-free diet, track symptoms and exposures, follow your TTG trends, and watch the healing over time.
A healing-over-time report for your next visit.
Want to start with a person, not an app?
A dietitian who knows celiac disease shortens the learning curve more than anything else.
Appointments are with Rochester Gastroenterology Associates — for patients in the greater Western New York area.
When to call urgently →