The Coeliac Disease Symptoms No One Talks About

When most people think of Coeliac Disease, they think of food. Gluten-free bread, scanning labels, asking a million questions at restaurants ... the whole nine yards. And yes the food aspect has been a struggle, but also it's been something that's not food related (or digestive system related). It’s been the stuff no one sees: the mental load ... the brain fog and the exhaustion.

My Diagnosis Journey

I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 2015 when I was 32, after dealing with ongoing stomach aches. A blood test and biopsy confirmed what I’d already suspected deep down ... that something wasn’t right; but even then I didn’t realise how deep it went.

Looking back, I think I’d had the condition for years before that. I just didn’t know how to spot the signs. Like so many others, I didn’t connect the dots between my symptoms and Coeliac Disease.

The Hidden Coeliac Disease Symptoms

Everyone talks about the physical symptoms - bloating, cramping, diarrhoea, weight loss, etc etc ... but for me, one of the most debilitating Coeliac Disease symptoms has been brain fog.

You know that feeling when your brain just won’t cooperate? Like trying to think through a thick fog? That’s what gluten does to me. Sometimes I don’t even realise I’ve been “glutened” until I start feeling flat, anxious, or just mentally off.

And that’s the hard part - my reaction isn’t always physical so it’s easy to miss ... and even easier for other people to doubt. But brain fog, fatigue and mood swings are real and valid symptoms of Coeliac Disease.

Coeliac Disease and Mental Health

Before my diagnosis I experienced post-natal depression, which means I’ve also been on medication for depression for years. And I always wondered why things felt so heavy, even when life was okay.

When I learned that untreated Coeliac Disease can increase your risk of developing mood disorders, something clicked.

One study found that you have a 91% higher chance of developing a mood disorder if you have Coeliac Disease - that’s not a small number.

For me, eating gluten doesn’t just hurt my gut, it hurts my mind. My anxiety ramps up. I get foggy, irritable and emotional. It feels like someone flipped a switch in my brain and turned the lights down.

Managing My Symptoms Day to Day

At the beginning of my journey with Coeliac Disease, I didn’t fully understand the impact it was having on me. Because I was relatively symptom-free (at least physically) it took me a really long time to come to terms with my diagnosis. For a while I still ate gluten a lot of the time. I didn’t think it was doing much harm.

But over time as I started eating gluten-free more consistently, I began to notice something: when I did eat gluten, it affected my brain. The brain fog, the low mood, the mental exhaustion ... it all became more obvious once I had a clearer baseline to compare it to.

Now I eat gluten-free 100% of the time with no exceptions. If I’ve accidentally had a large amount of gluten I can usually tell maybe 50% of the time. But the other 50% it’s harder to pinpoint, especially because brain fog and mental health struggles can be part of life anyway. That’s why it’s so important for me to stay gluten-free, even when the symptoms aren’t immediate or obvious.

Managing my Coeliac Disease symptoms means being vigilant about what I eat, planning ahead and always checking ingredients - even when it makes me feel like a hassle. But it’s worth it because protecting my brain is just as important as protecting my gut.

Why I Keep Talking About It

I started my first website Happy Mum Happy Child to help other parents feel less alone, and whilst I'm on my Life of Maria website now, that’s still my goal. Talking openly about my life, parenting and even about Coeliac Disease (especially the mental health side of it) is part of that.

The more we talk about things the more we normalise them. And the more we normalise them, the less alone people feel. Whether you're a parent, someone living with Coeliac Disease, or just someone feeling off and not sure why - maybe this helps you realise you’re not imagining it.

Final Thoughts

Coeliac Disease symptoms can go far beyond the stomach. Mental health, energy levels, focus, mood ... they’re all affected, especially if the condition goes undiagnosed or unmanaged.

If you’ve been struggling with any of those things and haven’t looked into Coeliac Disease, maybe it’s time. I’m not a doctor but I am someone who knows what it’s like to feel “off” for years and not understand why.

You deserve answers and you deserve to feel better.

If you’d like to learn more about Coeliac Disease, it's symptoms or just want support in New Zealand, be sure to check out coeliac.org.nz - it’s a great place to start.