Should I Pursue Testing?

[Capegin]

Hello,

My DD has had some stomach issues lately, and I'm wondering if I should pursue testing for Celuac, or if I'm way off base.

She is 15 months and has begun spitting up/vomiting regularly after dairy- esp. yogurt. We tried cutting out Lactose for the past wk, to no avail. This started about 6 weeks ago, though as an infant she had horrible reflux. She has been tested for food allergies and has none. She was in the 49th percential for weight at birth, but she was 3rd at 12 month checkup. In thd last week, she has gotten increasingly irratible, she occcasionslly screams as though in pain when we feed her, and she eats very little. She used to be a great eater. Also, she did have a milk protein allergy as an infant- not sure if that's relevant. Finnally, my husband commented tonight that her belly is starting to look like those pictures of malnourished babies.

As far as milestones, she is great. Walked early, says and signs several words, everything's on schedule.

Any thoughts?? She just serms miserable lately, and I want to find out what's wrong in order to help her!

[Cara in Boston]

Testing certainly can't hurt, right? It starts with a blood panel. If it comes back negative and you don't want to pursue further testing, you can always try the gluten free diet for a few months and see if it helps.

Cara

[StephanieL]

I would start with removing all milk (including hidden dairy and baked in) for at least a month. If after that there is no improvement I would think about testing but nothing you said really shouts out Celiac to me.

[TeknoLen]

I agree with other posts and would add that sensitivity to dairy/casein often accompanies celiac, but dairy/casein does not cause celiac, gluten is the irritant in celiac. Your post did not indicate how much gluten-containing food you feed her. Blood antibodies testing could result in a false negative if she is not currently ingesting much gluten.. If you do decide to do the test, I suggest you ask your doctor about how best to load her up with gluten foods so you get an optimal conditions test result...