Coeliac Australia’s national health campaign, Coeliac Awareness Week 2022 (CAW 2022), this year is shining a ‘green’ light on the link between iron deficiency and coeliac disease.
Coeliac disease is a common cause of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.
Many people, however, still don’t realise there’s a link or that iron deficiency should always be investigated by a healthcare professional.
CAW 2022 (13-20 March) is encouraging people with iron deficiency or those with related symptoms, such as lethargy, migraines, headaches or poor concentration, to seek medical advice and ask the question: Could it be coeliac disease?
It’s a question Coeliac Australia are also asking healthcare professionals to consider.
Melbourne-based gastroenterologist, Associate Professor Jason Tye-Din, sais: “Coeliac disease is a common cause of iron deficiency and is estimated to affect 1 in 20 cases of low iron in men and women. Coeliac Awareness Week 2022 highlights this important association. Effective treatment of iron deficiency can have a major impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.
“Whilst investigation and treatment of iron deficiency is fairly straightforward, it is always important to look for the underlying cause. Testing for coeliac disease should be done irrespective of symptoms.”
One in 70 Australians are estimated to have coeliac disease, yet 4 out of 5 remain undiagnosed. Early diagnosis of coeliac disease can have profound impact on a person’s quality of life and reduces the risk of long-term health complications such as osteoporosis or lymphoma.
Resources for coeliac disease
Coeliac Australia has a range of online healthcare professional tools and resources. The resources are designed to support GPs, pharmacists, dietitians and other healthcare providers keep up to date on the latest in coeliac disease diagnosis and management.
For your patients with coeliac disease, a membership with Coeliac Australia makes the adjustment to the gluten free diet easy, with guidance on label reading and a wealth of other resources and benefits.
They can find out more by visiting our website www.coeliac.org.au/s or calling our team on 1300 GLUTEN.
Coeliac Australia will be lighting up over 40 major landmarks in bright green across the country throughout CAW 2022. Keep an eye on Coeliac Australia's social media pages for more on #CAW2022 #CoeliacAwarenessWeek.
To learn more about Coeliac Awareness Week 2022 and access a range of campaign resources for healthcare professionals visit: www.coeliac.org.au/s/coeliac-disease/coeliac-awareness-week
