Adjusting to life with type 1 diabetes—an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas—comes with its own lessons and trials. In some cases, people with type 1 diabetes may be diagnosed with a second autoimmune disease, such as celiac. For those with type 1 diabetes, the chances of developing celiac disease range from 2% to 16%, compared to 0.3% to 1% in the general population.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac is a genetic autoimmune condition that causes damage in the small intestine when gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale [a cross between wheat and rye]) is eaten. This process leads to an inability to absorb the nutrients the body needs to thrive. If you have a parent, child or sibling with celiac disease, you are at higher risk of developing the disease. Just like with type 1 diabetes, there is no cure for celiac. Treatment requires eliminating gluten from the diet, which includes removing sources of gluten from food and drink, along with excluding
