Start Gluten Free Diet?

[avas-mommy]

Last week my 2 yr old daughter had her WIC appointment and her iron levels read up as 10.4 (normal range is 12-14). Her diet seems pretty good but she doesn't eat too much meat for me, but she always eats cereal. I took her to the doctor yesterday to double check the levels, because WIC usually exagerates. Her levels read at 9.3 and now she has to see her primary doctor next week. My aunt has Celiac disease and her 2 daughters also have iron deficiencies (some other disorders), and my mother also has an iron deficiency but not diagnosed with celiac disease. My daughter has had loose stools regularly since she has been a baby, but when she doesnt have loose stools she gets constipated. She is also very gassy at times when she eats pastas. My question is does this sound like it could be Celiac disease? She eats plenty of iron-rich foods but her body doesnt seem to absorb it like it should, and recently her stools are green. She's also tired during the day even though she sleeps 10 hours a night plus a 2 hour nap during the day! She goes to her primary doctor monday and will most likely just be put on an iron supplement, so should i just start her on a gluten-free diet and see how it goes?

[StephanieL]

If you suspect Celiac, you need to get her tested BEFORE you change her diet IF you want an official diagnosis! You CAN NOT get good results after you take her off of gluten. With the family history, I would test.

Good luck!

[pricklypear1971]

What are the other disorders? Are they iron-related blood disorders? Thalassemia minor/beta/trait?

I ask because that could be giving a low iron count, but she doesn't need iron. There's a battery of tests that indicate thalassemia trait. And "trait" people can have funny bloodwork in other areas too.

That's all I have to add, other than if celiac runs in the family and she's having issues ask to have her tested.

[jebby]

I would not put your 2 year daughter on a gluten free diet until she has been tested for celiac, or at least seen and evaluated by a peds GI specialist. A LOT of toddlers have loose stools (most do not have celiac disease), and there are tons of reasons why a child could have low iron levels (the most common reason is actually drinking too much cow's milk).