You finish a slice of pizza and feel fine at first. But a few hours later, you’re bloated, foggy, or too tired to focus. Many people notice symptoms like these after eating gluten, even without having celiac disease or a wheat allergy. This is called non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and it affects millions.
At Íøºì³Ô¹Ï, our gastroenterology specialists help patients with these complex symptoms and find the answers they need to feel better.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to recognize gluten sensitivity symptoms, know how it differs from other conditions, and explore testing and treatment options that can help.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms: Digestive and Non-Digestive Signs
found that about 6 out of every 100 people may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and it appears to be more common in women.
That’s several times higher than the rate of celiac disease, which affects just 1 to 2 out of every 100 people.
Digestive symptoms may include:
- Bloating or gas after meals
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Constipation
- Nausea
But the effects of gluten sensitivity can go beyond digestion.
Non-digestive symptoms may include:
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating
- Fatigue that worsens after eating
- Headaches or migraines
- Joint pain or muscle aches
- Skin issues, such as rashes or eczema
- Mood changes like anxiety or low mood
What makes gluten sensitivity tricky is how it shows up. Symptoms may show up hours (or even a day or two) after eating gluten and often improve once it’s removed.
The timing can vary from person to person, which makes identifying the connection challenging without careful attention to eating patterns.
Unlike celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity doesn't damage the small intestine. However, the symptoms are real and can significantly impact daily life.
Gluten Sensitivity vs. Celiac Disease and Wheat Allergy: How They Differ
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where gluten triggers the immune system to attack the small intestine's lining.
This creates measurable damage that shows up in blood tests and biopsies. People with celiac disease have to follow a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet to prevent serious complications like nutrient deficiencies, osteoporosis, and increased cancer risk.
Wheat Allergy
Wheat allergy involves an immediate immune response to wheat proteins, which may include but aren't limited to gluten.
Wheat allergy symptoms often appear quickly and range from mild reactions to severe anaphylaxis.
Unlike gluten sensitivity, wheat allergies can be diagnosed through standard .
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity falls somewhere in the middle.
People experience genuine symptoms when eating gluten, but blood tests for celiac disease come back negative, and there's no measurable intestinal damage.
The symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet, but the condition generally isn't considered life-threatening like celiac disease can be.
Since the symptoms of gluten-related conditions can overlap, it’s easy to misinterpret what’s really going on. What seems like gluten sensitivity could actually be early-stage celiac disease, or your symptoms might be linked to another food intolerance or digestive condition altogether.
At Íøºì³Ô¹Ï, our specialists take the time to sort through these details. We help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and guide you toward the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
How to Get Tested for Gluten Sensitivity: What to Expect and Next Steps
There’s no single test that can confirm non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Instead, diagnosis often involves ruling out other conditions and tracking how your symptoms respond to dietary changes.
Testing can offer useful clues and help your provider see what’s going on.
Gluten Sensitivity Testing Options
There isn’t a non-celiac gluten sensitivity test, but a few steps can help rule out other conditions and guide next steps:
- Celiac disease panel (must be done while you're still eating gluten)
- Wheat allergy testing, using a skin prick or blood test
- Comprehensive metabolic panel, to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Evaluation for other digestive conditions, such as IBS or SIBO
If you've already eliminated gluten from your diet, you may need to reintroduce it for several weeks before testing, which should be done under medical supervision.
Using an Elimination Diet to Identify Gluten Sensitivity
An elimination diet can help you figure out if gluten is the issue:
- Start by removing all gluten from your diet for about 4 to 6 weeks
- Pay attention to how you feel. Not just your digestion, but energy, focus, mood, and skin
- After the gluten-free phase, slowly reintroduce gluten, a little at a time
- Keep a simple food and symptom journal to track any changes
- If possible, work with a provider to make sure you're still eating well and to help spot patterns
An elimination diet isn’t always easy, but it can be one of the clearest ways to figure out if gluten is playing a role in your symptoms.
How Íøºì³Ô¹Ï Helps Diagnose and Manage Gluten Sensitivity
Figuring out whether gluten is the problem isn’t always straightforward. Without the right support, it’s easy to cut out foods unnecessarily or miss another condition that needs attention.
That’s where we come in. At Íøºì³Ô¹Ï, our team helps you make sense of your symptoms, guides you through testing, and creates a dietary plan that fits your needs and supports your overall well-being.
Struggling with digestive issues, fatigue, or symptoms that seem hard to pin down? Schedule an appointment with Íøºì³Ô¹Ï to get clarity and a care plan built around you.