Help after diagnosis
Once you've been diagnosed with coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), the only treatment is a gluten-free diet for life.
There are lots of ways to find help:
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Your specialist or GP will refer you to a dietitian to help you make the necessary changes to your diet and plan a healthy balance of foods.
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Many foods are naturally gluten-free, including rice, maize, meat, fish, cheese and eggs as well as vegetables, pulses (peas, beans and lentils) and fruit.
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There are many gluten-free alternatives to 'normal' foods, such as gluten-free breads, pasta, pizza bases and biscuits. Most supermarkets now carry gluten-free ranges, and some foods are available on prescription.
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You can get information about the choice of foods on prescription and samples of gluten-free foods direct from the manufacturers. Check out Coeliac UK's Food and Drink Directory or our online list of products and services.
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Join Coeliac UK and you will receive a free listing of prescribable foods both in our Food and Drink Directory and online prescription list (alternatively you can buy items from our shop).
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Coeliac UK is devoted to providing information and support to people with the condition. Our Gluten-free Food and Drink Directory contains over 11,000 gluten-free foods and drinks. We also provide advice on reading labels to check for gluten content, how to manage when eating out and managing your healthcare needs - in fact we can help on any aspect of the coeliac condition.
Once you've begun the gluten-free diet you'll feel much better quite quickly, though in some people some symptoms may linger. The gut starts to repair immediately and many people with coeliac disease feel much better within weeks of starting the diet. However, it can take between six months and two years for the villi to recover and gut absorption to normalise fully.
It's very important that you are followed-up on a regular basis by a healthcare professional. For most people this involves an annual review.
