Celiac Disease
Understanding Autoimmune Gluten Sensitivity and Systemic Immune Effects
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects far more than digestion alone. While it is commonly associated with gluten intolerance and gastrointestinal symptoms, celiac disease can influence the immune system, nervous system, hormonal balance, and overall inflammatory burden throughout the body.
For many individuals, symptoms persist even after adopting a gluten-free diet, raising deeper questions about immune regulation, gut healing, and overlapping contributors.
At Keystone Total Health, individuals navigating celiac disease are evaluated through a root-cause, functional framework guided by Dr. Martin Hart, DC, and Dr. Koji Aoki, DC. Our clinic is located in Columbia, Tennessee, serving the greater Nashville area and welcoming clients from across the United States seeking clarity around complex autoimmune and digestive conditions.
Reviewed by Dr. Martin Hart, DC & Dr. Koji Aoki, DC
What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system reacts to gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—by attacking the lining of the small intestine. This immune response leads to inflammation and damage to the intestinal villi, which are essential for nutrient absorption.
Unlike non-celiac gluten sensitivity, celiac disease involves a measurable autoimmune process and can lead to systemic complications if immune activation remains unresolved.
How Celiac Disease Affects the Body Beyond the Gut
Although celiac disease begins in the digestive tract, its effects extend well beyond digestion. Damage to the intestinal lining can impair absorption of key nutrients involved in energy production, neurological function, immune balance, and hormonal signaling.
At the same time, chronic immune activation can influence inflammatory pathways throughout the body, contributing to symptoms that may not immediately appear “digestive” in nature.
Common Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease presents differently in each individual and may evolve over time.
Digestive symptoms may include chronic bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or reflux. However, many individuals—especially adults—experience non-digestive symptoms as their primary concern.
Systemic symptoms may include chronic fatigue, brain fog, headaches, joint discomfort, skin issues, mood changes, anemia, and nutrient deficiencies. Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or balance issues may also occur in some individuals.
This wide symptom range is one reason celiac disease is often underdiagnosed or diagnosed late.
Why Celiac Disease Is an Autoimmune Condition
In celiac disease, gluten exposure triggers an immune response that produces antibodies targeting both gluten and intestinal tissue. Over time, this immune activity can persist even with minimal exposure, reinforcing inflammation and gut barrier disruption.
Because the immune system is involved, celiac disease frequently overlaps with other autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, MCAS, and multiple sclerosis, reflecting shared immune dysregulation rather than isolated conditions.
The Gut–Immune Connection in Celiac Disease
The small intestine plays a critical role in immune tolerance. When intestinal integrity is compromised, immune signaling can become exaggerated and less selective.
In celiac disease, ongoing inflammation and villous damage may contribute to:
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Increased intestinal permeability
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Altered gut microbiome balance
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Heightened immune reactivity
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Food sensitivities beyond gluten
This gut-immune disruption may persist even after removing gluten, particularly if healing and regulation are incomplete.
Celiac Disease, Mold Illness, and Chronic Infections
In clinical practice, Dr. Hart and Dr. Aoki frequently observe celiac disease overlapping with mold illness (CIRS) and Lyme disease.
Environmental biotoxins and chronic infections can increase immune activation and inflammatory load, potentially worsening gut permeability and autoimmune signaling. When these contributors coexist, individuals may continue to experience symptoms despite strict dietary adherence.
This overlap highlights the importance of evaluating environmental and infectious stressors alongside autoimmune gut conditions.
Neurological and Cognitive Effects of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease can influence the nervous system through immune signaling, inflammation, and nutrient malabsorption. Some individuals experience brain fog, headaches, mood changes, or neuropathy even without prominent digestive symptoms.
These neurological patterns often overlap with those seen in chronic fatigue, MCAS, and Lyme-related inflammation, reinforcing the need for a systems-based perspective.
How Celiac Disease Is Evaluated from a Root-Cause Perspective
At Keystone Total Health, celiac disease is viewed as part of a broader immune and inflammatory pattern, not solely as a dietary condition.
Evaluation may involve reviewing immune activity, gut integrity, nutrient status, inflammatory signaling, environmental exposures, and overlapping conditions such as mold illness or chronic infections.
Many individuals pursue this deeper evaluation through the Keystone Root Cause Intensive, which provides a structured, immersive process for understanding complex chronic illness.
Why Symptoms May Persist on a Gluten-Free Diet
While a gluten-free diet is essential for individuals with celiac disease, symptoms may persist when:
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Intestinal healing is incomplete
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Immune activation remains elevated
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Nutrient deficiencies persist
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Environmental or infectious triggers are present
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Nervous system stress is ongoing
Understanding these contributors can help explain why dietary changes alone are sometimes insufficient.
Who May Benefit from a Root-Cause Evaluation for Celiac Disease?
A broader evaluation may be helpful for individuals who:
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Have ongoing symptoms despite a gluten-free diet
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Experience fatigue, brain fog, or neurological symptoms
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Have additional autoimmune or inflammatory diagnoses
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Suspect mold exposure or chronic infection
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Feel their digestive diagnosis does not explain the full picture
Serving Columbia, TN, Nashville, and Clients Nationwide
Keystone Total Health is located in Columbia, Tennessee, serving individuals from the greater Nashville area and welcoming clients from across the country who travel to work with Dr. Hart and Dr. Aoki for comprehensive autoimmune and thyroid evaluation.
Celiac Disease FAQ
The following questions address common concerns about celiac disease, including immune mechanisms, persistent symptoms, and overlap with other chronic conditions.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten exposure triggers immune-mediated damage to the small intestine, impairing nutrient absorption and contributing to systemic inflammation.
Is celiac disease the same as gluten intolerance?
No. Celiac disease involves an autoimmune response and intestinal damage, whereas non-celiac gluten sensitivity does not cause the same immune-mediated tissue injury.
Can you have celiac disease without digestive symptoms
Yes. Many individuals experience neurological, fatigue-related, or immune symptoms without prominent digestive complaints, especially adults.
Why do symptoms persist after going gluten-free?
Symptoms may persist due to incomplete gut healing, ongoing immune activation, nutrient deficiencies, environmental triggers, or overlapping conditions such as mold illness or chronic infection.
Is celiac disease linked to other autoimmune conditions?
Yes. Celiac disease commonly overlaps with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, MCAS, and other immune-mediated disorders.
Can mold illness or Lyme disease affect celiac disease?
Mold exposure and chronic infections can increase immune activation and inflammation, potentially worsening gut permeability and autoimmune symptoms in susceptible individuals.
How is celiac disease evaluated from a root-cause perspective?
A root-cause evaluation looks beyond diet alone and considers immune activity, gut integrity, inflammation, environmental exposures, nutrient status, and overlapping conditions.
Who should consider a broader evaluation for celiac disease?
Individuals with persistent symptoms, additional autoimmune diagnoses, neurological complaints, or suspected environmental or infectious contributors may benefit from a broader evaluation.
Resources & Further Reading
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Celiac Disease Foundation: https://celiac.org
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): https://www.niddk.nih.gov
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Fasano A. Celiac Disease and Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity – New England Journal of Medicine
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PubMed: Autoimmune mechanisms in celiac disease
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Cleveland Clinic: Celiac Disease Overview