Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance Allergy

Last Updated: 10th November 2022 · Written by Donna Mastriani

A sensitivity to gluten is one of the most common food intolerances in the UK, affecting an estimated 13% of people. For some, this sensitivity is so severe that they suffer from a gluten allergy, otherwise known as coeliac disease. For others, their symptoms might be caused by a wheat allergy or milder gluten intolerance.

If you feel uncomfortable a couple of hours after eating gluten products, it’s important to find out which of these conditions you could have – a gluten intolerance, wheat allergy, or coeliac disease.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the most common symptoms for each condition. Telling the difference between these conditions can be difficult without a complete body test, but knowing the key symptoms is the best place to start.

Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

Gluten intolerance, or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), occurs when somebody is unable to digest gluten properly but isn’t allergic. Scientists aren’t sure what causes this condition yet, but some of the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Brain fog
• Headaches
• Digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Symptoms of Wheat Allergy

People suffering from a wheat allergy have an abnormal immune response to the proteins that are present in wheat (including gluten). Some sufferers are able to eat other grains such as barley, while others choose to avoid all grains. Common symptoms of a wheat allergy include:

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
• Hives and an itchy rash
• Congestion of the nose and difficulty breathing
• Irritation of the mouth, eyes, and throat

Symptoms of Coeliac Disease

Like a wheat allergy, coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body starts to attack itself when it detects gluten. According to Coeliac UK, around 1% of the British population has the disease but only 30% are ever diagnosed – meaning that thousands of people are battling symptoms without knowing the cause.

If you’re one of them, these are the symptoms to watch out for:

• Digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea and constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Anaemia (iron deficiency)
• Irregular menstruation

Order Your Test From Lifelab Today

Sensitivity to wheat and gluten can cause serious problems, whether you’re suffering from an intolerance or an allergy. If you’re battling any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above, find out the root cause by ordering a conclusive test from Lifelab today.