25/08/2026
● Coeliac Disease : High-Yield MRCP Points
• Classic presentation: Chronic diarrhoea, bloating, weight loss and steatorrhoea due to small-bowel malabsorption.
• Iron-deficiency anaemia is a key clue: Especially unexplained or refractory iron deficiency despite adequate iron replacement.
• Associated deficiencies: Folate, vitamin B12, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies can occur, causing neuropathy, osteopenia/osteoporosis and fatigue.
• Diagnosis: First-line test is IgA anti-tTG antibody + total IgA. If IgA deficient, use IgG-based serology.
• Important associations: Dermatitis herpetiformis, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease and Down syndrome. Diagnosis is confirmed with duodenal biopsy showing villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia in appropriate cases.