Gluten-free diet improves iron-deficiency anaemia in patients with coeliac disease

J Health Popul Nutr. 2000 Jun;18(1):54-6.

Abstract

Two cases of newly-diagnosed asymptomatic coeliac disease with 3 years of unexplained severe iron-deficiency anaemia are presented. Oral iron supplementation had no effect on their serum iron levels and, therefore, had no influence on their anaemia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy confirmed normal macroscopic findings. Duodenal biopsies revealed subtotal villous atrophy of the mucosa of the small intestine. A strict gluten-free diet led to an increase in serum iron, resolution of anaemia, and restitution of normal mucosal morphology. Thus, severe iron-deficiency anaemia associated with asymptomatic coeliac disease is responsible to gluten-free diet.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / diet therapy*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / etiology
  • Celiac Disease / blood
  • Celiac Disease / complications*
  • Celiac Disease / diet therapy
  • Female
  • Glutens / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / physiology
  • Iron / administration & dosage
  • Iron / blood*
  • Iron Deficiencies

Substances

  • Glutens
  • Iron