Gluten And Endocrine Autoantibodies in Adolescent Celiac Patients – (09-29-00)

Gluten And Endocrine Autoantibodies in Adolescent Celiac Patients

Wheat is one of the common allergens that patients are told to avoid, along with dairy and corn, when dealing with chronic disease. This study once again points to the pervasive link between the GI tract and disease in other organ systems.

Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:1742-1748 Italian researchers have found that adolescent patients with celiac disease have elevated levels of anti-thyroid and anti-pancreatic autoantibodies. Gluten may play a role in the observed autoimmunity and, in some cases, the resulting organ dysfunction. Dr. Vincenzo Toscano, of Universita La Sapienza in Rome, and colleagues explain that previous studies have shown that antibodies directed against endocrine glands develop in a high proportion of patients with celiac disease. In light of their findings, Dr. Toscano’s team concludes that gluten consumption is associated with a high prevalence of anti-endocrine autoantibodies.