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Vitiligo

BlessedMommy

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
Posted

Does anybody have any good solid research that shows whether there's a connection between celiac and vitiligo or not? And is it considered a symptom of celiac? Or not really?

 

 

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NatureChick Rookie
NatureChick
Posted

The last thing I remember reading said that vitiligo and celiac do share genetic markers. But having one doesn't guarantee that you have to other, just are at greater risk statistically. Plus there is more than one type of vitiligo.

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Hi BlessedMommy,

 

I've done a lot of research on it because I have it.  I have read no connection linking it to Celiac.  It is Autoimmune in nature.  The immune system destroys brown pigment in the skin.  It is associated with three other Autoimmune Conditions.

 

Hyperthyroid Disease

Addison's Disease

Pernicious Anemia

 

Hope this helps.

 

Colleen

 

**Please see corrected post.

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

The last thing I remember reading said that vitiligo and celiac do share genetic markers. But having one doesn't guarantee that you have to other, just are at greater risk statistically. Plus there is more than one type of vitiligo.

What do you mean? Does that mean if you have vitiligo, then you also have the genetics for celiac?

 

My oldest has vitiligo and we will be pursuing a more firm diagnosis for her gluten issues, so I'm trying to make sense of this. Thanks for any info that you can share!

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

Hi BlessedMommy,

 

I've done a lot of research on it because I have it.  I have read no connection linking it to Celiac.  It is Autoimmune in nature.  The immune system destroys brown pigment in the skin.  It is associated with three other Autoimmune Conditions.

 

Hyperthyroid Disease

Addison's Disease

Pernicious Anemia

 

Hope this helps.

 

Colleen

Thanks for sharing Colleen! It is good to be aware of what other AI conditions might pop up.

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

What do you mean? Does that mean if you have vitiligo, then you also have the genetics for celiac?

 

My oldest has vitiligo and we will be pursuing a more firm diagnosis for her gluten issues, so I'm trying to make sense of this. Thanks for any info that you can share!

 

 

No. this does not mean that.  Vitiligo has "many" gene expressions with it.  A couple are the HLA expressions but NOT the Celiac ones.  There really is NO connection between the two Conditions.  It is one of very many Autoimmune Diseases that one can get.  Celiac or Not.  

 

Good Luck to you.

 

Colleen

 

** please see corrected post.

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

A good friend on mine (IH) just brought this Newsletter article from the Vitiligo Support International website to my attention.  It talks about research that DOES link Vitiligo with Celiac Disease.

 

Open Original Shared Link.

 

I stand corrected and grateful for her sending this to me  :D

 

Colleen

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NatureChick Rookie
NatureChick
Posted

Sharing genetic markers means that the same genes that play a role in celiac also play a role in vitiligo. But a gene can have lots of different jobs so just because it doesn't screw on bolts correctly, doesn't mean that it can't still hammer in a nail. Not everyone who has vitiligo has celiac and vice versa.

But I think the question you really want answered is whether or not going gluten free would help alleviate vitiligo symptoms. According to a single, small study, it might.

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Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Sharing genetic markers means that the same genes that play a role in celiac also play a role in vitiligo. But a gene can have lots of different jobs so just because it doesn't screw on bolts correctly, doesn't mean that it can't still hammer in a nail. Not everyone who has vitiligo has celiac and vice versa.

But I think the question you really want answered is whether or not going gluten free would help alleviate vitiligo symptoms. According to a single, small study, it might.

Yeah....we know all this but the fact remains that if you have Celiac Disease, you are open to many of the other AI issues out there.  Once your AI system goes haywire and on the attack, it can decide (probably via gene combinations and the like) to attack just about any other tissue in the body.  Take it from someone who has 4 AI diseases in total....it can happen. 

 

It can also happen that the gluten-free diet can do wonders for taming down the immune response but it does not work for everyone and there are probably many different reasons for this.

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Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

Yeah....we know all this but the fact remains that if you have Celiac Disease, you are open to many of the other AI issues out there.  Once your AI system goes haywire and on the attack, it can decide (probably via gene combinations and the like) to attack just about any other tissue in the body.  Take it from someone who has 4 AI diseases in total....it can happen. 

 

It can also happen that the gluten-free diet can do wonders for taming down the immune response but it does not work for everyone and there are probably many different reasons for this.

 

I was thinking something along these lines but didn't say anything. My husband has vitiligo, which he's only had a few years. He also has type 1 diabetes which has been for 20ish years now. I think (working on diagnosis) that he also either has celiac or crohn's. (God... let it be celiac, far less scary!) I've noticed when he gets bad "flares" with his intestinal problems he also develops more "spots." So while it isn't specifically linked to a lot of things, I have no doubt that when his AI system gets all wonky that it's what is making him splotchy too.

 

I have a fun set of diseases myself, AI and otherwise. And while one isn't linked to any specific AI disease, it is common acceptance that it is far more common among people with one or more AI diseases no matter what they are. I know that some links are specifically established, and that's great. But I don't think it is fair to discount that AI diseases in general tend to be linked and cluster, regardless of what they are.

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Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I was thinking something along these lines but didn't say anything. My husband has vitiligo, which he's only had a few years. He also has type 1 diabetes which has been for 20ish years now. I think (working on diagnosis) that he also either has celiac or crohn's. (God... let it be celiac, far less scary!) I've noticed when he gets bad "flares" with his intestinal problems he also develops more "spots." So while it isn't specifically linked to a lot of things, I have no doubt that when his AI system gets all wonky that it's what is making him splotchy too.

 

I have a fun set of diseases myself, AI and otherwise. And while one isn't linked to any specific AI disease, it is common acceptance that it is far more common among people with one or more AI diseases no matter what they are. I know that some links are specifically established, and that's great. But I don't think it is fair to discount that AI diseases in general tend to be linked and cluster, regardless of what they are.

Yup...I agree, Addy!  The key is to tame down the immune response and diet is always a good, first start. I think any one with any AI disease should be tested for Celiac.....simple little blood test!  If that comes back negative and the immune problems are ramping up, I would just do a dietary trial for awhile. Can't hurt to eat gluten free

for awhile.

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
  • Author
Posted

A good friend on mine (IH) just brought this Newsletter article from the Vitiligo Support International website to my attention.  It talks about research that DOES link Vitiligo with Celiac Disease.

 

Open Original Shared Link.

 

I stand corrected and grateful for her sending this to me  :D

 

Colleen

Thank you for sharing this. 

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Your Welcome.

 

When I was researching it I concentrated on the Melanoma Immunotherapy aspect of it developing after treatment.  Never even considered a celiac connection.  Now we both know  :D

 

Colleen

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

It's good to be able to put all the info together for the visit with my daughter's new daughter. I feel strongly that my daughter needs to do a gluten trial and get properly diagnosed (with whatever she has, whether that be celiac or something else) and it's good to be prepared with information for any of her symptoms.

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Information is the key to intelligent decisions.  Have fun on your visit. 

 

Colleen

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

Oops, I meant my daughter's new doctor, not her new daughter. Lol

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Ha!  Brain Fog, it's a b%$@#  :lol:

 

Colleen

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

LOL!!

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  • 2 months later...
BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
  • Author
Posted

My daughter is almost 2 months into her gluten trial and her vitiligo seems to be getting somewhat worse. My appointment with the doctor is on Wednesday.

 

I plan to ask her to test for celiac and also to check for iron and B-12. Is that a good start?

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

What I plan to do though is ask the doctor to order the bloodwork now but let me go get it at our convenience, after we've done a full 12 weeks of gluten trial. I want the best chance of an accurate result.

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

I think waiting is best too.  It would make sense to me that her Vitiligo is getting worse IF she ends up having Celiac.  If the gluten is causing an autoimmune reaction then the chances that others flare up is high.  

 

My Autoimmune System kicked into high gear in July...Vitiligo went nuts, Thyroid TSH jumped a point and Sicca (Sjjogrens) went crazy.  They are all still in high gear and I've felt poorly for awhile.  I"m just waiting for things to calm at some point.  

 

Does she have any other AI Diseases that are Diagnosed/Flaring?

 

Colleen

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

My daughter does not have any other diagnosed AI diseases.

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Keep up with the challenge and good luck.

 

Colleen

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
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Posted

Thank you. I don't think that I would have gone through with challenging my kids  without the support from this forum. The help and encouragement really means a lot to me! :)

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GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

It sure does help when people understand what your going through and can help make needed decision.  Irish Heart got me through my initial months and is now a great friend.  It feel good to be able to "pay it forward" to others in the same boat.

 

Colleen

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