IRON-DEFICIENCY IN CELIAC-DISEASE IS MILD AND IT IS DETECTED AND CORRECTED BY GLUTEN-FREE DIET

In 54 children with coeliac disease, mild iron deficiency anaemia or evidence of iron deficiency without anaemia were common at the time of diagnosis. Treatment with a gluten-free diet without iron medication eliminated all evidence of iron deficiency and completely normalized laboratory values. Subsequent challenge with gluten resulted in the rapid reappearance of suboptimal iron balance as evidenced by a decrease in serum ferritin concentration.