Celiac Disease Care
Celiac Disease Management
United Gastroenterology Associates specializes in the diagnosis and management of celiac disease. Led by board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE, our team helps patients in Cypress and Katy manage celiac disease, prevent complications, and live well on a gluten-free diet. We are accepting new patients, and most major insurance plans are accepted.
What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. Over time this can lead to poor nutrient absorption, digestive symptoms, and other complications if it isn’t managed. The primary treatment is a carefully maintained, lifelong gluten-free diet, guided by your gastroenterologist.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Symptoms vary widely from person to person and can affect digestion and the whole body. Common signs include:
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nutrient deficiencies, such as anemia or osteoporosis
- Skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
Personalized Celiac Disease Care
We provide individualized care from diagnosis to long-term management, so you can manage your condition confidently and avoid complications.
Gluten-Free Diet
Guidance on gluten-free foods, reading labels, and avoiding cross-contamination — the cornerstone of managing celiac disease.
Nutritional Counseling
Support for nutrient deficiencies such as iron, calcium, and vitamins, with gluten-free supplement recommendations when needed.
Managing Complications
If celiac disease has led to anemia, osteoporosis, or skin rashes, we help manage them — early detection prevents long-term issues.
Monitoring & Follow-Up
Ongoing care with periodic blood tests and symptom review to confirm your gluten-free diet is working and your health is on track.
Celiac Care With Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan
Your care is led by Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist board-certified in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Internal Medicine. He has served as faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. Celiac disease is evaluated and managed with an individualized plan tailored to your symptoms, nutrition, and long-term health. Learn more about Dr. Khan or explore related GI conditions we treat.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
- Board-certified: Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Internal Medicine
- Former faculty: UAB & UT MD Anderson
- 100+ peer-reviewed publications
- Serving Cypress & Katy
How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?
If you are wondering how celiac disease is diagnosed, the process usually begins with a simple blood test and is confirmed with a short endoscopic procedure. Because celiac disease is an autoimmune condition — not a food allergy or ordinary gluten intolerance — accurate testing matters. Our Cypress and Katy gastroenterology team follows the diagnostic standards set by leading GI societies so you receive a clear, definitive answer.
Celiac Blood Test (tTG-IgA)
The first step is usually a celiac antibody blood test — most often the tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) test, sometimes paired with total IgA and additional markers. Elevated antibodies show that your immune system is reacting to gluten and signal the need for confirmation.
Endoscopy & Biopsy
For most adults, a definitive diagnosis is confirmed with an upper endoscopy, during which Dr. Khan takes tiny biopsies of the small intestine to check for the villous damage that defines celiac disease. It is a quick, sedated outpatient procedure.
Important: Do not start a gluten-free diet before testing. Removing gluten too early can heal the intestine enough to produce false-negative results. Keep eating gluten normally until your blood test and biopsy are complete, then transition to a gluten-free diet with your care team’s guidance.
Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Sensitivity vs. IBS
Many patients ask whether their symptoms point to celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The symptoms — bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue — often overlap, but the conditions are very different, and only proper testing can tell them apart.
Celiac Disease
An autoimmune disease. Gluten triggers the immune system to attack and damage the small intestine, which can lead to nutrient malabsorption, anemia, and vitamin deficiencies. Requires a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
Gluten Sensitivity
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity causes real symptoms after eating gluten, but without the autoimmune intestinal damage or antibodies seen in celiac disease. It is diagnosed after celiac disease and wheat allergy are ruled out.
IBS
A functional gut disorder that affects how the bowel works. It does not damage the intestine and is not caused by an immune reaction to gluten, though some patients notice food-related triggers.
Living Well on a Gluten-Free Diet
A strict gluten-free diet is currently the only proven treatment for celiac disease. There is no pill or cure, but with the right guidance most people feel dramatically better and the small intestine heals over time. Knowing what to avoid — including hidden sources of gluten — is the key to staying well.
Foods & Ingredients to Avoid
Wheat, barley, rye, and most conventional breads, pastas, cereals, baked goods, and regular beer. Also watch for malt, brewer’s yeast, and many processed foods that use wheat as a thickener or filler.
Hidden Sources of Gluten
Gluten hides in soy sauce, salad dressings, gravies, soups, marinades, and some medications and supplements. Cross-contamination from shared toasters, fryers, and cutting boards is common too. Always read labels and look for “certified gluten-free.”
Celiac Disease Specialist Serving Houston, Cypress & Katy
If you have been searching for a celiac disease doctor or gastroenterologist near me, our practice provides expert, physician-led care for patients across Houston, Cypress, Katy, and the surrounding communities. Board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan diagnoses and manages celiac disease from initial testing through long-term follow-up.
What happens after diagnosis? We help you begin a gluten-free diet, correct any vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and monitor your recovery with follow-up antibody testing to confirm your intestine is healing. If you are still having symptoms despite a gluten-free diet, we investigate why — checking for hidden gluten exposure, cross-contamination, or other conditions — so you can finally feel your best. Whether you are newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, we are accepting new patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
What are the early signs of celiac disease in adults?
Early symptoms in adults often include bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, gas, and fatigue. Some people have few digestive symptoms and instead notice iron-deficiency anemia, unexplained weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, or an itchy skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis). Because signs vary so widely, testing is the only way to know for sure.
What is the test for celiac disease?
Diagnosis usually starts with a celiac antibody blood test — most commonly the tTG-IgA test. If antibodies are elevated, an upper endoscopy with small-intestine biopsies confirms the diagnosis. Keep eating gluten until all testing is complete, since going gluten-free early can hide the disease and cause false-negative results.
Can celiac disease be cured?
There is no cure for celiac disease, but it is highly manageable. A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet stops the immune reaction, allows the small intestine to heal, and relieves symptoms for most people. Ongoing follow-up with a gastroenterologist helps confirm healing and prevent complications.
Is celiac disease an autoimmune disorder?
Yes. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, not a simple food intolerance. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine. Over time this can cause malabsorption, anemia, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which is why proper diagnosis and management matter.
Why do I still have symptoms on a gluten-free diet?
Continued symptoms often come from hidden gluten exposure or cross-contamination, but they can also point to another condition such as IBS, lactose intolerance, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. If you are gluten-free and still not feeling well, schedule an evaluation so we can find the cause and adjust your care.
Get Started With Celiac Disease Management Today
If you have celiac disease or symptoms that concern you, don’t wait to get the care you need. We are accepting new patients at our Cypress and Katy offices, and most major insurance plans are accepted.
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