Does Celiac disease cause blood in the stool?
Blood in the stool is not a common symptom of celiac disease [1]. However, in some cases, small bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can occur when you are not on a gluten-free diet [2]. Also, around half of severe cases of celiac disease can present with blood in the stool [3].
What are the common symptoms of celiac disease?
Celiac disease can present a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms can vary from person to person. One might not even notice the disease, while someone else will experience a lot of discomfort.
The common symptoms of celiac disease include:
- abdominal pain,
- gases,
- bloating,
- chronic constipation or diarrhea,
- weight loss,
- fatigue,
- foul-smelling stool [4, 5].
However, celiac disease can also have other influences on the body. It can lead to iron deficiency, joint pain, and weak bones.
Also, celiac disease can have a dermal presentation, called dermatitis herpetiformis. This dermatological condition affects roughly 25% of celiac-ill people. It causes itchy skin rushes that consist of blisters filled with clean fluid. Specific locations of the rush are the elbows, keens, and buttocks [4].
Is blood in stool in celiac disease dangerous?
Blood in the stool in celiac disease can occur. However, it is uncommon.
Blood in stool in celiac disease is normally not a dangerous condition. The amount of blood being possibly lost that way is typically not dangerous [1].
However, even tiny regular bleeding combined with celiac disease can contribute to the development of iron-deficiency anemia [3].
Additionally, in rare cases, celiac disease can lead to coagulopathy. In this condition, the clot formation ability is impaired. The coagulopathy can present in blood in the stool and can be life-threatening [6].
Should I see a doctor when I have blood in my stool with celiac disease?
Yes, you should see your doctor when you have blood in your stool with celiac disease.
Blood in stool is not common in celiac disease. However, blood in the stool can be a sign of developing a coagulopathy. This condition can be dangerous for you, and you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Furthermore, you should check with your doctor if you have not developed iron-deficiency anemia. This can be possible, especially when you have noticed a recent growing fatigue.
Also, you may have another condition that causes bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Many dangerous conditions can lead to blood in stool [7]. Especially when you find a lot of blood in the stool, you should see your doctor to identify and treat the cause.
What are other possible causes of blood in the stool?
Except for celiac disease, various health conditions can lead to blood in the stool. Some of them can be benign, while others are serious.
Among the most common potential causes that can lead to blood in the stool are:
- hemorrhoids [8],
- anal fissure [8],
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis [8],
- colorectal cancer [8],
- colitis or diverticulitis [8].
Other less common causes include proctitis, gastritis, and esophageal varices [8].