Celiac Family Members

May Is Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Celiac disease runs in families.

If you have a family member with celiac disease, you have a much higher risk for developing this serious genetic autoimmune condition and you should be tested.

People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.

Left undiagnosed, celiac disease increases the risk for future health complications including certain types of cancer, bone disease and the development of other autoimmune diseases.

Sometimes, family members run into resistance from their physician when asking to be tested for celiac disease after learning about a family member that has been diagnosed with celiac disease. 

Listen to the two-part podcast from Anne Lee, EdD, RDN, LD to learn what helpful tips and advice you can use if your physician is hesitant to test you for celiac disease. 

PART 1 and Part 2