The Secret Signs of Coeliac Disease: Coeliac Awareness Week takes place from June 9 to 15, 2025, with this year’s theme: “Coeliac Disease is Different for Every Body.”

An estimated 100,000 New Zealanders are living with coeliac disease - a condition where the body mistakenly attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the small intestine, making it harder to absorb essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and folic acid.

And while classic symptoms like diarrhoea, cramping, and nausea are well known, many people remain undiagnosed due to lesser-known symptoms that can easily be mistaken for other conditions, or missed entirely.

So, what are the lesser-known symptoms of coeliac disease?  Here’s what to look out for:

• Fatigue and anaemia: Persistent tiredness or weakness may signal iron, folate, or B12 deficiencies due to poor nutrient absorption.
• Hormonal and reproductive issues: Infertility, recurrent miscarriages, early menopause, or irregular periods may be linked to undiagnosed coeliac disease.
• Neurological symptoms: Brain fog, frequent headaches, and even peripheral neuropathy can stem from untreated coeliac-related inflammation.
• Skin and oral signs: Dermatitis herpetiformis, eczema-like rashes, mouth ulcers, and enamel defects are also symptoms to look out for.
• Mental health and mood changes: Anxiety, depression, and irritability—especially in children—can be connected to gut health and nutrient deficiencies.

Coeliac disease can also occur alongside other conditions such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, and genetic syndromes like Down and Turner syndrome, making awareness and early detection even more important.

Even when living gluten free, ongoing gut issues are very common for people with coeliac disease. Digestive issues can present in a myriad of ways, from abdominal distention, reflux, pain, and either too frequent, not frequent enough or mixed type bowel motions. The reasons for digestive issues can come down to a wide range of triggers, including inadvertent gluten exposure, indigestion, other food intolerances (such as lactose and fructose intolerance), bacterial or fungal overgrowth, and disruption to the gut-brain axis from chronic stress.

This Coeliac Awareness Week, Coeliac NZ is encouraging all New Zealanders to know the symptoms and get tested. Early diagnosis and following a strict, gluten-free diet is key to treating the condition and preventing long-term complications.

For more information and resources, or to JOIN Coeliac New Zealand, visit www.coeliac.org.nz