When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system makes antibodies that target normal cells and tissues. This abnormal immune response can damage healthy parts of your body. The cause of this hypersensitive response is unknown. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where your immune system reacts abnormally to gluten -- a protein in wheat, rye and barley.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance is not always due to celiac disease. However, if you have celiac disease, your immune system launches an attack on your intestines due to the presence of gluten from your diet. Celiac disease damages your villi, which are finger-like protrusions in your small intestine that absorb nutrients. Celiac disease-induced intestinal damage can decrease nutrient absorption. As of 2011, there is no cure. You must commit to a life-long gluten-free diet to prevent intestinal damage.
Autoimmune Disorders
There are more than 80 autoimmune disease types. Your immune system is your defense against pathogens. When your immune system identifies bacteria, viruses, toxins and other invaders, it produces antibodies that attempt to destroy them. Your immune system misidentifies healthy tissues as a pathogens, if you have an autoimmune disorder. This can cause a wide range of symptoms based on the body part involved. For example, when it attacks your joints, it is known as rheumatoid arthritis, which causes joint pain and stiffness.
Celiac and Hashimoto's
When your immune system attacks your thyroid tissues, it is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There is a correlation between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hashimoto's thyroiditis can prevent your thyroid from producing enough thyroid hormone. This can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. A significant proportion of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients have potential markers for gluten intolerance, according to a study published in the April 2002 issue of the "European Journal of Endocrinology."
Risks and Treatment
You have a higher autoimmune risk if you are an African-American, Hispanic-American or Native-American female, according to MedlinePlus. If you have one autoimmune disease, you are at risk for developing others. Treatment goals aim to reduce your symptoms. You can control the symptoms of many autoimmune diseases with treatment.
