Anemia and Celiac Disease

What is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition that results from either a decrease in the size or number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin, which is the red pigment in these
cells.

What Effects Does Anemia Have on Our Bodies?

Think of red blood cells as ships that deliver oxygen to all our organs, and hemoglobin as the crates on the ship that hold the oxygen. If there is a shortage in red blood cells (ships) or hemoglobin (crates), oxygen cannot get adequately delivered to our organs. Every part of our body needs oxygen to convert the food we eat to energy and heat. This function is vital to life and is why you feel tired and weak with anemia.

Common Causes of Anemia

The most common causes of anemia are from a lack of iron, folate, or vitamin B12 in the body. Each of these nutrients is involved in the creation and healthy
development of red blood cells.

Iron deficiency anemia

Shortage in iron can cause anemia because it is an essential part of creating hemoglobin and transporting oxygen to our entire body.

Symptoms you may feel:

Fatigue, weakness, irritability, pale skin, headaches, brittle nails, decreased appetite, increased susceptibility to infections, and a decreased attention span in kids.

Folate Deficiency Anemia

Shortage in folate can cause anemia because it is also an essential part of creating hemoglobin and transporting oxygen to our entire body.

Symptoms you may feel:

Ringing in the ears, cracked lips, sore tongue, irregular heartbeat and similar symptoms to iron-deficiency anemia.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

A lack of vitamin B12 can cause anemia because this vitamin is essential for the formation and growth of red blood cells. In people with celiac disease, vitamin B12 deficiency is usually from destruction to the lower part of the small intestine, which is one of the places vitamin B12 is absorbed. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also occur when there is a lack of intrinsic factor, a protein that helps absorb vitamin B12 in our stomachs. This can lead to a condition called pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in people with CD, pernicious anemia is uncommon.

How are Celiac Disease and Anemia Connected?

- Celiac disease can cause damage to the small intestine where iron, folate, and vitamin B12 are absorbed. Research has shown an incidence of an average of 4% anemia in newly diagnosed persons with CD in America.

- Iron and folate anemia’s are seen more often in people with CD because these nutrients are absorbed in the upper two parts of the intestine where damage can occur in earlier stages of CD. When CD progresses, the lower part of the small intestine can be damaged and cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

- If you have had ongoing anemia and underlying medical conditions are ruled out, it is recommended to ask a physician about testing for CD. It is also recommended to test for CD if you have been taking iron supplements and experience no improvement in blood iron levels.

Article Courtesy: Dr. Stephan Wangen