There are several forms of gluten intolerance (celiac disease) that vary in symptoms and severity:

• Latent celiac disease. Gluten intolerance that does not produce external symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, it does cause intestinal damage. Though difficult to diagnose without external symptoms, it is important to detect this type of intolerance as early as possible to limit long-term damage or complications. Antibody tests and biopsies should be able to detect this type of intolerance.
  
  
• Silent celiac disease. Gluten intolerance that does not produce external symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, it does cause intestinal damage. While difficult to diagnose without external symptoms, it is important to detect this type of intolerance as early as possible to limit long-term damage or complications. Both antibody tests and biopsies should be able to detect this type of intolerance.
  
  
• Refractory celiac disease. A rare form of gluten intolerance in which the condition does not improve even after months of eliminating gluten from the diet. Some physicians consider this disease to actually be a type of cancer. Before diagnosing this condition a physician will be sure to rule out other conditions that display the same symptoms. Corticosteroids are often used to successfully treat refractory celiac disease, though in some cases the intravenous delivery of nutrition is necessary.
  
  
• Collagenous celiac disease. A rare condition in which gluten intolerance results in a large amount of scar tissue accumulating under the intestinal lining. There is no treatment for this usually fatal condition.