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Charity highlights link between anaemia and coeliac disease

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Charity highlights link between anaemia and coeliac disease

Up to half of people with undiagnosed coeliac disease could have iron deficiency anaemia, says Coeliac UK. The warning follows a YouGov survey which found that almost a quarter of people recall being told they were anaemic following a blood test.

Iron deficiency anaemia is experienced by two to five per cent of men and postmenopausal women and five to 12 per cent of premenopausal women in the UK at any time, but occurs in some 30-50 per cent of patients with coeliac disease at diagnosis.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: “Recurring or unexplained anaemia is a key symptom to help in the search for those with undiagnosed coeliac disease. These people are probably suffering in silence, taking supplements and worrying about what’s causing their anaemia off and on for years, when a simple blood test for coeliac disease might just reveal the answer and change their life for the better, forever.”

Pharmacy staff can refer people to an online assessment at: isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk.

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