4 Ways That the Immune-Related Disorder Differs in Males
Celiac diseasedoes not treat all people the same.
This includes variations in the symptoms and characteristics of the disease in males and females.
This article takes a look at some of the ways that celiac disease differs in males compared to females.
LightFieldStudios / Getty Images
With that said, celiac disease affects females two to three times more often than males.
Celiac Disease Symptoms in Men
Generally speaking, CD symptoms in females and males are the same.
Among males, several conditions are more commonly seen.
Some of these conditions cause overt symptoms.
Others cause subclinical symptoms (without overt symptoms) or are asymptomatic (without symptoms).
Most population-based studies have that found males are up to two times more likely to be affected than females.
Males are also more like to have dermatitis herpetiformis on the genitals and in the mouth.
Liver Disease
Thelivercan be affected by the inflammatory effects of celiac disease.
Even so, it is unclear how significant the difference is.
Older studies have suggested that men with CD are more likely to experience malabsorption than women with CD.
When CD is involved, females are only twice as likely to have hypothyroidism as their male counterparts.
It often takes years and numerous healthcare visits before the disease is finally diagnosed.
This may be especially true for men who access healthcare 30% less often than women.
If needed, ask your primary care provider for a referral to an internal specialist known as agastroenterologist.
A simple blood test may offer the first clue that celiac disease is involved.
2014 Jul;59(7):1509-12. doi:10.1007/s10620-014-3025-6.
2014 Aug;35(3):347-69. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.04.004
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism.
Wang Y, Hunt K, Nazareth I, et al.Do men consult less than women?
An analysis of routinely collected UK general practice data.BMJ Open.2013;3:e003320.
