Possible Celiac Diagnosis

[aoife17]

Hi, for over 2 years I have had random pains in my legs, joints and arms. I have also suffered from excessive bloating, which has gradually got worse to the extent I can't even drink a small glass of coke anymore. I did a blood test and it came back with low calcium, when I repeated it came back normal. The doctor believed I had sciatica. But I continued to have the symptoms which had progressed to tiredness, dry skin and occassional stomach ache. In my 3rd blood test I demanded a celiac one, it came back saying I didn't have celiac but this time it was low in iron. I now get stomach pains when ever I eat something containing a lot of gluten, I am unsure if it is a subconscious thing. For example I had a baguette recently and felt ill all night, and I hadn't been thinking it contained gluten. Then I had a packet of crisps that contained gluten and I felt fine. 

 

My grandfather had celiac's disease, I was wondering if anyone thinks it is possible I could have it when the blood test said I didn't?

 

[notme]

my blood test(s) came back negative, but i was already eating gluten-free.  i understand that false negatives are pretty common.  my doc did an endoscopy anyway and that's how i got diagnosed as having celiac disease.  they also tested many other things, as well, to be sure to rule out any other diseases.  my vitamin levels were wacky, too.   

[bartfull]

Celiac runs in families. There are a bunch of different tests. Can you post here what the test was that you had? There are several that should all be run, and of course as notme said, a biopsy is considered the gold standard. But you have to make sure you have a good doctor! Some of them only take one or two samples and they miss the damaged part.

[Deaminated Marcus]

If your grandfather had it then that is a big red flashing light with a big horn going off type of warning. 

[psawyer]

If your grandfather had it then that is a big red flashing light with a big horn going off type of warning.

Well, maybe. You inherited 25% of your genes from your grandfather. About 33% of the American population have at least one gene associated with celiac disease. About 1% actually have celiac disease. It is an indicator that you should consider, but don't lead a parade down main street about it.