Is Celiac Disease Genetic? Everything You Need to Know

Do you feel bloated and gassy when you eat bread or pasta? Does pizza give you acid reflux? You may have celiac disease. Over 2.5 million Americans are currently undiagnosed but suffering from this condition.

Celiac disease can be difficult to pinpoint because it produces over 200 symptoms. These signs manifest differently in children and adults. Many adults who were not diagnosed at a young age may not even know they have it.

The good news is there is a reliable way to find out if you are at risk for celiac disease: a DNA test.

Read on to learn about the symptoms, genetic factors, risk factors, and DNA testing for celiac disease.

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten found in food, drinks, and health products. When a person with the disease eats gluten, the villi lining their small intestine become damaged. Damaged villi cannot do their job of absorbing nutrients.

There is also coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is caused by an abnormal immune system reaction to gluten, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Coeliac is the spelling used in the UK and Australia; celiac is the spelling used in the US and Canada.

Children with celiac disease often experience digestive symptoms. These can include diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and stomach pain. Children may also have irritability and behavior changes.

Adults show digestive symptoms less frequently. Instead, many adults experience symptoms such as fatigue, anemia, joint pain, depression, anxiety, nerve damage, and infertility. These non-digestive symptoms can make diagnosis significantly harder.

Symptoms in children:

• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Weight loss
• Irritability and behavioral changes

Symptoms in adults:

• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Bone or joint pain
• Depression or anxiety
• Headaches
• Nerve damage (numbness or tingling in hands and feet)
• Missed menstrual periods
• Infertility
• Skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)

Health Risks for Undiagnosed Celiac Disease

If celiac disease goes undetected and a person continues to eat gluten, damage to the small intestine accumulates over time. This can lead to serious long-term health complications including malnutrition, bone density loss, nerve damage, and in some cases an increased risk of certain cancers. Early detection is important for avoiding these outcomes.

Is Celiac Disease Genetic?

Yes. Celiac disease has a strong genetic component. Research shows that certain genetic variants significantly increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

The most well-established genetic risk factors are variants in two genes: HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. Over 90% of people with celiac disease carry at least one of these variants. However, having one of these variants does not mean a person will definitely develop celiac disease. Many people carry HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 and never develop the condition. Environmental factors and other genetic influences also play a role.

Celiac disease tends to run in families. First-degree relatives of people with celiac disease (parents, siblings, and children) have a roughly 1 in 10 chance of developing the condition themselves. This hereditary pattern underscores how important genetic testing can be for people with a family history of the disease.

How DNA Tests Can Help

Modern DNA tests go far beyond a single health question. A whole genome sequencing test reads 100% of your DNA across all of your over 30,000 genes, providing a deep and comprehensive understanding of your genetics, health risks, medication responses, and more.

Even if you have already taken a DNA test with another provider, you can upload your existing data to Sequencing for free and start exploring your results right away.

The Partner Marketplace offers a wide variety of optional apps and reports that let you explore your specific health interests. If you are concerned about your wellbeing and genetic risk, the health category has many options to explore.

Whole Genome Sequencing

Sequencing's whole genome sequencing service reads 100% of your genome. By examining the full sequence of nearly 6 billion letters, it provides a deep understanding of your genetics.

Whole genome sequencing can help you understand medication responses, disease risks including celiac disease, rare conditions, and much more. The Next-Gen Disease Screen, available in the Partner Marketplace, can screen your DNA across a large set of diseases and genetic conditions.

Who Is Sequencing?

Sequencing is a genomics company dedicated to making your genetic data work for you. The team includes doctors, geneticists, bioinformatics experts, and developers. The goal is to help you live your healthiest life by giving you access to your complete genetic picture.

Your data is never shared with any third parties, and you have the right to delete it at any time.

Genetic counseling is also available through the Partner Marketplace. After receiving your results, you can connect with a certified genetic counselor through the Genetic Counseling app by DNAVisit. If you have a high risk of celiac disease or another condition, professional guidance is a click away.

Ready to Learn More?

Celiac disease management is straightforward with a clean diet and careful attention to ingredients. But not realizing you have celiac disease can lead to many long-term complications.

If you have a family history of celiac disease or autoimmune disorders, getting a DNA test is a proactive step worth taking. Whole genome sequencing from Sequencing gives you the most complete genetic picture available, and the Partner Marketplace helps you act on what you learn.