For newly diagnosed children and adults with celiac disease, studies report that compliance with a gluten-free dietary pattern results in significant improvements in nutritional laboratory values, such as serum hemoglobin, iron, zinc and calcium, as a result of intestinal healing and improved absorption. However, adherence to the gluten-free dietary pattern may result in a diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and fiber, as well as low in iron, folate, niacin, vitamin B-12, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. A small number of studies in adults show a trend toward weight gain after diagnosis; further research is needed in this area.
