21-year-old woman presents with depressive mood, anemia and clumsiness, but no GI issues.
Celiac disease is commonly known as a digestive disorder, but it is well known that symptoms of the autoimmune disease go beyond the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A recent case study reinforced that message, as a young woman presented with neurological symptoms, but no evidence of GI distress.
The 21-year-old woman suffered from depressive mood, slowed speech and slight gait issues. Tests also found evidence of anemia and osteopenia, which are often related to malabsorption due to untreated celiac disease. Following additional tests, the woman was found to have the genetic marker for celiac disease. Upon biopsy, she was diagnosed with celiac disease despite having no classical intestinal symptoms.
The researchers noted that previous cases have indicated that neurological symptoms may be the first or only sign of celiac disease in atypical manifestations. Celiac disease is not just limited to GI symptoms, but “is a disease of other systems,” they concluded.
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