NURSERY worker Lisa Korol has backed a campaign to raise awareness about coeliac disease – which may have caused her to suffer two miscarriages while undiagnosed with the condition.

The 34-year-old from Sabden was left devastated and searching for answers after the miscarriages, but has since had a healthy baby after discovering her intolerance to gluten.

And this week, she has highlighted Coeliac UK’s ‘Gut Feeling’ campaign to highlight the disease and make sure people are aware of the symptoms.

Lisa, who gave birth to her first child six years ago, said: “We don’t know how long I’d had coeliac disease for, but I would often suffer from extreme tiredness, or feel bloated and uncomfortable.

“I never thought it could be something to do with food.

“Then I had two miscarriages in 2009 and 2010. They were both after about 25 weeks and it was horrific.”

Although she also had some problems with her cervical tissue at the time, Lisa said: “We don’t know what the reason was, but undiagnosed coeliac disease can lead to miscarriage.”

The Crow Trees Road resident, who works at Wheatley Lane Primary School in Burnley, was diagnosed later in 2010, and has since stayed healthy after keeping to a strict gluten-free diet.

Eight months ago, she gave birth to her second daughter, Tahlia. She said: “If I’d been more aware of the disease and the symptoms, then I’m sure I would have recognised it in myself.”

Coeliac UK has raised fears that many doctors are failing to spot the condition, as just 10 to 15 per cent of those living with the disease have been diagnosed. Recent research shows almost a quarter of coeliac patients had previously been diagnosed and treated for irritable bowel syndrome, suggesting thousands are not being investigated early enough.

The campaign is being supported by Joe Simpson, mountaineer, author and subject of award-winning film Touching the Void, and recently diagnosed with coeliac disease.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: “The sooner someone is diagnosed and begins a strict gluten-free diet, their gut will begin to heal and the risk of complications will reduce.”