Nutritional Deficiencies in Celiac Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study of Iron and Vitamin B12 Status in Diyala, Iraq

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion, leading to chronic inflammation and small intestinal damage. The prevalence of CD in Iraq, particularly in Diyala province, has significantly increased in recent years. Nutritional deficiencies are common among CD patients due to impaired nutrient absorption resulting from intestinal damage.


Objective: This study aimed to characterize iron and vitamin B12 status in Diyala’s CD population.


Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed iron and vitamin B12 status in 90 CD patients and 30 healthy controls at AL Shams Medical Labs, Diyala, between October 2024 and May 2025.


Results: The mean age of CD patients was 48.03 ± 1.84 years, while controls had a mean age of 36.33 ± 2.32 years. The results showed a significant increase in anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-IgA and tTG-IgG) and I-FABP levels in CD patients compared to healthy controls. Additionally, serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly lower, while total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) was significantly higher in CD patients (P < 0.05). Although mean vitamin B12 levels were lower in the CD patient group, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.114).


Conclusion: Overall, CD significantly affects iron metabolism, whereas vitamin B12 levels appear less consistently impacted, emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional monitoring.