<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Coincidentally, after my recent comments on the List about "Liver Damage 
and the Intestinal Mucosa", a new, free review on liver disorders and 
celiac disease has appeared.  One cannot ignore the secondary effects and 
symptoms that liver damage may add to those symptoms caused by gluten's 
effect on the intestinal mucosa.  Those unexplained aches and pains and 
other symptoms and disorders which have frequently appeared on this List 
may be a result of liver dysfunction.

Some notes:   Elevated liver enzymes are the result of liver enzymes 
released by damaged liver cells.  The article cites one study stating "A 
gluten-free diet for 1 to 10 years resulted in complete normalization of 
liver chemistry tests in 95% patients."  Normal liver chemistry tests DO 
NOT necessarily mean that the liver is functioning normally and that no 
damage remains.  See:  Special Considerations in Interpreting Liver 
Function Tests - http://www.aafp.org/afp/990415ap/2223.html

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World J Gastroenterol  2006 March 14;12(10):1503-1508
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders in celiac disease
Hugh James Freeman

Free full text:
http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/12/1503.asp

Abstract

A variety of hepatic and biliary tract disorders may complicate the 
clinical course of celiac disease. Some of these have been hypothesized to 
share common genetic factors or have a common immunopathogenesis, such as 
primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune 
forms of hepatitis or cholangitis. Other hepatic changes in celiac disease 
may be associated with malnutrition resulting from impaired nutrient 
absorption, including hepatic steatosis. In addition, celiac disease may 
be associated with rare hepatic complications, such as hepatic T-cell 
lymphoma. Finally, pancreatic exocrine function may be impaired in celiac 
disease and represent a cause of treatment failure.

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