How Is Celiac Disease Linked To Liver Health?

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive and autoimmune disorder in which the immune system damages the small intestine preventing nutrient absorption (malabsorption). Such immune system response is caused by eating foods containing gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley). Celiac disease can develop at any age and is more common among children. Those who develop the celiac disease have a genetic predisposition to this disorder which means it can be passed from parent to child.

According to Celiac Disease Foundation, there are more than 200 symptoms of celiac disease and yet, some people may not have any symptoms at all. The key signs of celiac disease include diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, „brain fog“, bone or joint pain, depression or anxiety, weight loss, bloating, nausea and vomiting.

Celiac disease can be diagnosed via blood test or intestinal biopsy.

Seen as there is no cure for celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet is the only treatment available. Once gluten is removed from your diet, your body can start healing. If left untreated, however, celiac disease can lead to serious medical complications such as osteoporosis, bowel cancers, type I diabetes, liver disease, etc.

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What does celiac disease have to do with liver health?

Liver disease can be caused by a variety of factors which include but are not limited to diabetes, celiac disease, obesity, infection, immune system abnormality, genetic disorders, and alcohol and drug abuse.

Celiac disease can cause elevation of liver enzymes (following a gluten-free diet though can help normalize the liver enzyme levels in many cases) and even contribute to liver conditions such as primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune (sclerosing) cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and non-alcoholic liver disease.

The link between celiac disease and liver dysfunction often lies in their predisposition to autoimmunity by common genetic factors or abnormal intestinal absorption. Malnutrition caused by celiac disease can also worsen the underlying liver disease.

Since liver problems are usual manifestations of celiac disease, it is recommended that patients with celiac disease are screened for liver dysfunction and vice versa considering the interconnection of these diseases.

Sources:

Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Oct; The prevalence of celiac disease in the United States. Rubio-Tapia A, Ludvigsson JF, Brantner TL, Murray JA, Everhart JE.

Mohammad Reza Zali, Mohammad Rostami Nejad, Kamran Rostami, and Seyed Moayed Alavian. Liver complications in celiac disease. Hepat Mon. 2011 May 1; 11(5): 333–341. 2011 May 1. PMCID: PMC3212773

Rubio-Tapia A, Murray JA. Liver involvement in celiac disease. Minerva Med. 2008;99(6):595-604.