Kokova Magazine

Do you have a relative who is diagnosed with coeliac disease?

Dr Chris Steele MBE and his son, Olympic hopeful Andrew have launch a campaign to encourage all close family relatives of those diagnosed with coeliac disease to get tested for the genetic condition.

1 in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, an autoimmune disease, including Dr Chris who was diagnosed in 2010.

However, prevalence increases to 1 in 10 for close family members. It is estimated that there are half a million people undiagnosed in the UK and NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) state that only between 10-15% of those who have the condition are currently diagnosed.

Dr Chris became Health Ambassador of Coeliac UK, the national charity for people with coeliac disease, ironically before he was diagnosed himself.

I hope that more people will follow Andrew's example and go to their GP and ask for a test. Many people are afraid and put off finding out if they have something wrong with them but as someone who wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 60s I had already incurred damage to my gut which led to osteoporosis due to lack of calcium being absorbed.

His son, 27 year old Andrew, is hoping to compete in the 400m at this year's London Olympics but due to a number of recent illnesses has had his funding stopped as he has been unable to make the necessary times.

I have been training for the London Olympics for the last ten years but unfortunately have been suffering with a number of illnesses that I was unable to shake off. My coach thought it would be a good idea for me to be tested for coeliac disease as my Dad has it.

The result was negative but it made me realise the importance to be tested in order to rule things out. I am devastated that my funding has been stopped but I am still hoping that I will be able to find sponsorship to continue training and make it to the Olympics.

Andrew Steele

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by intolerence to gluten.

There is no cure and no medication and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Left untreated it can lead to infertility, osteoporosis and small bowel cancer.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye and is found in bread, pasta, pizza, cakes and beer etc. However, it is also often used in a wide range of products including mayonnaise, soy sauce, sauces, sausages and many processed goods.

We urge everyone who has been diagnosed with coeliac disease to encourage their close relatives, as in parents, siblings and children to ask their GPs to do a simple blood test to see if they have coeliac disease too.

The average diagnosis period is 13 years and the sooner someone is diagnosed and begins a strict gluten-free diet, their gut will begin to heal and the risk of further complications will reduce further. It is essential however, to keep eating gluten until the tests are completed otherwise the results could give a false negative. People can develop the condition at any age and it can be triggered by a range of things such as stress or after a tummy bug.

You can not catch coeliac disease but are genetically predisposed and we are hoping this campaign will persuade relatives to get tested.

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK