Small Bowel and Celiac Disease Program

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Why Choose the Small Bowel and Celiac Disease Program at Weill Cornell Medicine?

The Small Bowel and Celiac Disease Program is committed to improving outcomes for patients with complex small intestinal disorders through precise diagnosis, expert management, and long-term support.

Our mission is to help patients with complex small intestinal disorders heal and maintain wellness. We integrate state-of-the-art diagnostics, including video capsule endoscopy, specialized imaging, and advanced laboratory testing with compassionate individualized care. Our expert gastroenterologists, dietitians, surgeons, and other specialists all collaborate to identify and address root causes, tailor treatment and deliver coordinated, evidence-based care.

We advance research to drive progress in small bowel and celiac disease management, and we focus on how small bowel health influences nutrition, immunity and overall health.

The Small Bowel: A Gateway to Digestive and Overall Health

The small bowel is one of the most important organs in the human body, measuring more than 16 feet long (or the height of a full-grown giraffe). One of its main functions is to help digest and absorb nutrients from food. It also has an important role in immunity and generalized health via the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is a collection of millions of unique bacteria, fungi, and single-celled organisms that interact with the body daily and affect the health of many organ systems.

Small bowel health and the gut microbiome can be compromised by a wide range of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, infection, surgery and motility disorders. If untreated, these may lead to other health complications.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers inflammation and damage to the small bowel. Beyond digestive symptoms, celiac disease can affect nearly every organ system, influencing nutrition, bone health, and overall well-being. Symptoms may be subtle manifesting as fatigue, anemia, bone loss, migraines, joint pains, or infertility, making the condition difficult to recognize. Celiac disease affects up to 1% of the population, though often goes undiagnosed for many years.

Testing for celiac disease is recommended for patients with chronic digestive symptoms, unexplained iron deficiency or anemia, abnormal liver tests, or autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes or thyroid disease. Family members of patients with celiac disease are at increased risk and should consider screening. Testing includes blood work and endoscopy.

Our program for patients with celiac disease provides comprehensive evaluation and ongoing management for patients with known or suspected celiac disease. We use the latest diagnostic tools, including advanced serologic testing, endoscopic assessment, bone density testing (DEXA scan), and small bowel imaging. Our care is tailored to each patient’s needs. We provide expert nutrition counseling and long-term follow-up to promote healing, restore health, and prevent complications.

Our celiac disease program is committed to advancing research and education to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of celiac disease across the lifespan. We collaborate closely with our pediatric gastroenterology specialists to ensure a seamless transition of care from childhood through adulthood and to support patients and families every step along the way.

Conditions We Treat:

Celiac Disease
Small Bowel Bleeding
Short Gut and Intestinal Failure
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Gluten Related Disorders
Other Enteropathies

Advanced Diagnostics and Treatments:

Video Capsule Endoscopy
MR and CT Enterography
Radionucleotide Bleeding Scans
Deep Enteroscopy
In Office and At Home Breath Testing
Parenteral Nutrition
Genetic Testing
Coordinated Gut Rehabilitation

Publications on Small Bowel and Celiac Disease:

Article: study finds keys to ending delays in celiac disease diagnosis
Article: increased awareness of celiac disease needed
Podcast: should you give up gluten?

Other Resources:

The DIGEST program focuses on the comprehensive management of esophageal, foregut, and gastrointestinal motility disorders. Visit the DIGEST program's website to learn more.

Meet our Doctors and Dietitians

Our board-certified gastroenterologists and hepatologists provide expert care for a wide range of digestive and liver disorders. They collaborate closely with registered dietitians. Learn more about our physicians and registered dietitians.

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