This week is Coeliac Awareness Week, a condition that effects around 5% of people living with type 1 diabetes. 

Coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes can occur together because they are both autoimmune diseases. 

People living with the condition have an intolerance to gluten which causes small bowel inflammation and damage. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. The only treatment for coeliac disease is a lifelong gluten-free diet. 

It’s important that people living with diabetes and coeliac disease have regular catch-ups with their diabetes educator or GP for a plan to manage these conditions. 

Coeliac Australia estimates 80% of people with coeliac disease don’t know they have it, which increases their risk of health complications. 

A blood test is used to screen for coeliac disease which measures the antibody levels in your blood. 

People with type 1 diabetes may have coeliac disease without any symptoms, so screening is important to detect the conditions. 

If coeliac disease is left untreated, it can increase a person’s risk of developing other medical problems or even damage to the intestines. It can also make it difficult for people with diabetes to manage their blood glucose levels. 

Some of the symptoms of coeliac disease include, 

• Diarrhoea and/or constipation 
• Weight loss 
• Flatulence 
• Fatigue 

• Abdominal bloating and cramping 
• Anaemia 
• Fluctuating blood glucose levels 

The NDSS have developed this helpful factsheet about living with diabetes and coeliac disease which includes a helpful list of gluten-free carbohydrates. You can read it here. 

For more information you can call Coeliac Australia in your state on 1300 GLUTEN (1300 458 836) or visit coeliac.org.au