Which is a common presentation of celiac disease?

Which is a common presentation of celiac disease?

• A. Rash
• B. Weight gain
• C. Hypertension
• D. Iron deficiency anemia

Answer: (D)

Iron deficiency anemia is a common presenting feature of celiac disease because the disease causes damage to the proximal small intestine where iron is absorbed. This malabsorption leads to depleted iron stores, so patients often experience fatigue and pallor, with lab findings showing low ferritin, low serum iron, and high TIBC. Dermatitis herpetiformis, a rash associated with celiac, can occur but is not as universally seen as anemia. Hypertension and weight gain are not typical presentations of celiac disease; weight loss from malabsorption is more commonly observed. So the iron deficiency anemia presentation best fits how celiac disease often first presents.

Iron deficiency anemia is a common presenting feature of celiac disease because the disease causes damage to the proximal small intestine where iron is absorbed. This malabsorption leads to depleted iron stores, so patients often experience fatigue and pallor, with lab findings showing low ferritin, low serum iron, and high TIBC. Dermatitis herpetiformis, a rash associated with celiac, can occur but is not as universally seen as anemia. Hypertension and weight gain are not typical presentations of celiac disease; weight loss from malabsorption is more commonly observed. So the iron deficiency anemia presentation best fits how celiac disease often first presents.