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When to Seek Medical Care

Celiac sprue can be a debilitating condition, especially if the diagnosis is not considered early in the course of the disease. As a result, persons with any of the symptoms mentioned above (see Signs and Symptoms) or those with a family history of the disease are encouraged to seek medical advice. Because celiac sprue is hereditary, close family members of persons with celiac sprue should be tested for the disease. About 10% of an affected person's first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) will also have the disease.

Females who are pregnant and have worsening anemia should seek medical care. This diagnosis should be considered in females with significant worsening of anemia during pregnancy.