# Celiac Disease Initially Misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Case Report

## TL;DR

A patient with symptoms resembling IBS and iron-deficiency anemia was later diagnosed with celiac disease, highlighting the need for routine screening in similar cases.

## Contribution

This case emphasizes the importance of screening for celiac disease in patients with IBS-like symptoms and iron-deficiency anemia.

## Key findings

- The patient's symptoms and anemia resolved after a gluten-free diet and iron supplements.
- Celiac disease was confirmed through serological tests and small bowel biopsy.
- The case supports routine celiac screening for patients with IBS and iron-deficiency anemia.

## Abstract

Background: The increasing availability of serological testing & upper endoscopy has led to more frequent diagnosis of celiac disease & recognition that it may mimic Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Objective: The objective of the present case report is to describe the importance of screening those with vague abdominal symptoms (like patients with IBS) and iron deficiency anemia for celiac disease.

Methods: We report the clinical course of a 30-year-old patient with vague abdominal symptoms initially misdiagnosed as having IBS; when the patient presented in our clinic, he was noted to have iron-deficiency anemia. On work-up for the cause of iron deficiency anemia, he was found to have celiac disease on basis of positive serological tests and small bowel biopsy result. After being placed on gluten-free diet, plus iron supplements, his abdominal symptoms and iron deficiency anemia totally improved.

Conclusions: Our case demonstrates that routine screening for celiac disease should highly be considered for patients with iron-deficiency anemia and IBS.