IT is an autoimmune condition affecting one in 100 people in the UK.

Yet this may only be the tip of the iceberg as current research indicates that only 24 per cent of coeliac sufferers are diagnosed, leaving an estimated half a million people in the UK undiagnosed.

Undiagnosed coeliac disease can lead to a number of complications including osteoporosis, fertility problems and, in rare cases, small bowel cancer if left untreated.

The aim of Coeliac UK Awareness Week (May 9 to 15) aims to increase diagnosis rates. The campaign: 'Is it coeliac disease?' focuses on exposing the link between anaemia and undiagnosed coeliac disease.

Coeliac UK, the national charity for people with coeliac disease, is also concerned that as anaemia is experienced in up to 50 per cent of patients with the disease at diagnosis, many with anaemia may have undiagnosed coeliac disease.

Iron deficiency anaemia is experienced by 2 to 5 per cent of men and postmenopausal women, and 5 to 12 per cent of premenopausal women in the UK at any time, but occurs in 30 to 50 per cent of patients with coeliac disease at diagnosis.

NICE Guidance for the recognition, assessment and management of coeliac disease recommends that GPs screen patients with recurring or unexplained iron, B12 or folate deficiency anaemia for coeliac disease.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, says: “Recurring or unexplained anaemia, is a key symptom to help in the search for those with undiagnosed coeliac disease. These people are probably suffering in silence, taking supplements and worrying about what’s causing their anaemia off and on for years, when a simple blood test for coeliac disease might just reveal the answer and change their life for the better, forever.”

Those who suspect they may have the condition can take the online assessment isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk which allows people to check symptoms and related conditions and advises whether they should go to their GP to be screened.

Since the assessment was launched under a year ago, over 30,000 people have taken the questionnaire. Initial results from feedback suggest that around eight per cent of those who were recommended to seek testing went on to be diagnosed with coeliac disease.

“We are delighted to be working with a number of partners this year and hope to spread our message far and wide. We are promoting new training for coeliac disease alongside the RCGP and will also be putting information about coeliac disease, the diagnosis process and our online assessment, directly into the hands of the public through our first national leafleting day at Marks & Spencer stores across the country and in thousands of NHS settings.

“If people only take one thing away this year, we hope it’s that if you regularly experience anaemia, please get a simple blood test for coeliac disease. With a major job still to do to improve the diagnosis of the condition, I would urge anyone who is suffering with any of the symptoms of coeliac disease to complete the online assessment and start their diagnosis journey,” adds Sarah.

Other symptoms of coeliac disease may include frequent bouts of diarrhoea, stomach pain and cramping, regular mouth ulcers, ongoing fatigue, lots of gas and bloating, nausea and vomiting. It is not an allergy or an intolerance but a serious autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system damages the lining of the small bowel when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is eaten. There is no cure and no medication; coeliac disease is a life long illness, the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life.

Although the gluten-free diet is the only treatment for the condition, it is essential that no one removes gluten from their diet until the full diagnosis has been completed.

Gluten free food has been the staple of Norah Bradbury's diet since her coeliac diagnosis 12 years ago.

Frequent bouts of heartburn prompted the 59-year-old retired office worker from Bradford to seek medical advice and tests revealed Norah was suffering with coeliac.

She also discovered she was anaemic which she says explained the exhaustion she had felt.

"I got to the stage before I was diagnosed when I came home from work and after making tea I'd fall asleep. I wasn't doing a physical job but I was exhausted," recalls Norah.

Coping with the condition on a daily basis has been life-changing, and not just for Norah, but for the whole family. Food labels and restaurant menus are scrutinised and any kitchen equipment, such as toasters, have to be kept separate to prevent cross-contamination.

But Norah has learned to live with the condition and is now hoping her story will prompt others to go to their Doctor if they suspect they may be suffering from the disease.

"I miss fresh bread and Maltesers but that is the price you pay to be healthy," she adds.

For more information visit isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk. You can also find useful facts and information at coeliac.org.uk or by calling the organisation's helpline on 0333 3322033.