13 WTHRCeliac disease often undiagnosed

Celiac disease often undiagnosed

Anne Marie Tiernon/Eyewitness News

Celiac disease is on the rise, now impacting one in every 100 people. That is a four-fold increase from the 1950s, according to researchers from the Mayo Clinic.

The report is not news to people with the condition or to those in the gluten-free food industry.

"I've seen a huge change in seven years on the diet," said Diane Hosek of Carmel.

Hosek knows now how to manage her celiac disease. It means restocking her pantry to be gluten free. That means it's free of wheat, barley and rye.

"I go to Whole Foods a lot; also Meijer and Kroger have pretty good selections of gluten free products," she said.

Hosek is strict, even wrapping the family toaster to avoid crumbs.

The changes followed years on the wrong path of doctors telling her she had fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and even multiple sclerosis.

"I eventually asked to be tested for celiac disease myself," she said.

"The initial step is a specific test is a blood test that is very sensitive very specific for celiac disease," said Dr. Ryan Houghton, Community Health Network.

"People have almost like a poison ivy type reaction on the inside of the bowels," said Dr. Houghton.

But Dr. Houghton says that inflammation subsides in days or weeks with the right diet.

"The expansion of the gluten free line is unbelievable," said Jeff Goetz, who heads up the Whole Foods store in Carmel. He says manufacturers now offer gluten free baking mixes for muffins, cookies, pizza and if you don't make it yourself, there are cases of frozen products.

Some of the resources out there include the book "Celiac Disease: The Hidden Epidemic" by Peter H.R. Green MD and Rory Jones. Green calls the condition one of the most underdiagnosed autoimmune diseases. There are entire recipe books and even a gluten free grocery shopping guide.

"Absolutely it's manageable and the diet is not that bad. I am a real optimist on the diet because you feel so much better most people wouldn't even consider cheating really," said Hosek.

Symptoms include abdominal and digestive issues as well as weight loss and osteoporosis.

Glutenfreeindy.com - A site of central Indiana resources and restaurants with gluten free items.

See the Mayo Clinic study