Celiac & Clots: How Blood Tests Can Be Used to Detect Celiac in Women

When individuals claim they “don’t eat gluten”, society has conditioned us to think this is a result of diet culture. In actuality, between 5-10% of the population has a form of gluten sensitivity, whether in the form of celiac disease, allergies, fructan intolerance, IBS, or other gastrointestinal disorders [1]. Celiac disease in particular is a lifelong autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine in genetically susceptible individuals. This damage can interfere with nutrient absorption and lead to symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and distension, gas, weight loss, fatigue, and anemia. However, celiac disease does not always present with obvious gastrointestinal symptoms; individuals may instead experience conditions such as osteoporosis, neurological problems, dermatitis herpetiformis¹, or dental enamel abnormalities [2]. As a result, celiac disease tends to be misdiagnosed, and little support is offered to affected individuals.

Challenges of Celiac Patients

Systemic and interpersonal challenges can make living with celiac disease extremely difficult for many people. The biggest challenges tend to be in social situations: eating out, traveling, preparing and shopping for food, and especially avoiding gluten contamination [3]. Even microscopic levels of gluten can negatively impact individuals with severe celiac disease, making complete avoidance, including preventing cross-contamination, incredibly difficult. As a result, individuals may feel limited in their social choices or experience illness and physiological damage from accidentally consuming gluten that they had no way of knowing was present. Research has found that people with celiac disease can experience increased anxiety, depression, and reduced overall quality of life due to these challenges, particularly around the time of diagnosis [3,4]. Moreover, the responsibility of constantly managing their condition alongside a lifelong dietary restriction adds to the emotional burden these individuals may face [4].

Celiac in Women

In particular, celiac disease is frequently underdiagnosed in women, despite women accounting for approximately 60–70% of diagnosed celiac patients [5]. This may be partly because women may experience less obvious manifestations of the condition such as iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue, infertility, menstrual irregularities, recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy complications, and decreased bone density [1]. Because these symptoms can have numerous causes, celiac disease may go unrecognized unless it is specifically considered and tested for. It is therefore important for doctors to consider celiac disease in women who present with unexplained reproductive, nutritional, or skeletal health issues, even in the absence of prominent gastrointestinal symptoms [5].

A Blood Test for Celiac Disease

Art by Shea Davis

Recent research has found new ways of detecting celiac disease, allowing for a consistent diagnostic tool to be utilized. Specific medical testing alongside symptom tracking is a common method in establishing a diagnosis. Blood tests, particularly the tTG-IgA test, are typically used first, and an intestinal biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis [6]. However, researchers are also developing a new blood test that looks for specific immune cells that react to gluten. This test could make diagnosing celiac disease much easier and less invasive, especially for people who have already stopped eating gluten. Earlier and more accessible diagnosis could also help reduce the emotional and quality-of-life burden associated with living with undiagnosed or poorly managed celiac disease, allowing individuals to better understand their symptoms and begin appropriate treatment sooner. Continued research into diagnostic tools like this blood test is therefore important not only for improving medical care, but also for improving the everyday lives of people affected by celiac disease. While the test has shown promising results, more research is needed before it can be widely used [7].

Conclusion

In conclusion, not eating gluten is not always a choice made because someone saw a “gluten-free” label and decided it sounded trendy. For many people, especially women, avoiding gluten is a necessary part of managing a lifelong condition that can affect the body, mind, and everyday life. Celiac disease can hide behind symptoms that seem unrelated to gluten, making diagnosis difficult and leaving many individuals without the support they need. As research continues to improve how celiac disease is detected, newer blood tests may make diagnosis easier, faster, and less invasive. So the next time someone says they “don’t eat gluten,” try not to assume they are following the latest diet trend. They might just have a very good reason for saying no to the bread basket.

References

1. Igbinedion SO, Ansari J, Vasikaran A, Gavins FN, Jordan P, Boktor M, et al. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: All wheat attack is not celiac. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2017 Oct 28;23(40):7201–10. 

2. Gujral N. Celiac disease: Prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment. World Journal of Gastroenterology [Internet]. 2012 Nov 14 [cited 2026 Sept 20];18(42):6036. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3496881/ 

3. Stroebele‐Benschop N, Rau CJ, Dieze A, Bschaden A. Life Challenges and Quality of Life of People Living With Coeliac Disease: Time of Diagnosis Matters. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics [Internet]. 2024 Dec 24 [cited 2026 Sept 20];38(1). Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11668230/#jhn13413-sec-0090 

4. Canova C, Rosato I, Marsilio I, Valiante F, Zorzetto V, Cataudella G, et al. Quality of Life and Psychological Disorders in Coeliac Disease: A Prospective Multicentre Study. Nutrients. 2021 Sept 16;13(9):3233. 

5. Shah S, Leffler D. Celiac Disease: an Underappreciated Issue in Women’s Health. Women’s Health. 2010 Sept;6(5):753–66. 

6. Murray J. Celiac Disease Testing | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2021 [cited 2026 Sept 20]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/professionals/clinical-tools-patient-management/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease-health-care-professionals 

7. Moscatelli OG, Russell AK, Henneken LM, Fothergill L, Motyer A, Reid H, et al. Blood-based T Cell Diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Gastroenterology [Internet]. 2025 June 1 [cited 2026 Sept 20];. Available from: https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(25)00832-7/fulltext 

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¹ Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic, intensely itchy autoimmune skin rash triggered by a reaction to gluten [8].