Link Between Coeliac And Reynaud's And/or Alpha-1 Anti Trypsin Deficiency?

[KCG91]

Just asking as these also run in my family - Alpha-1 very prevalent on my mum's side (both her parents and all their children) and she also has Raynaud's. I don't know that I have either (haven't been tested) but have noticed that my circulation has improved since going gluten-free to treat coeliac. 

I think somebody did post asking about Alpha-1 several years ago, but I don't think there were any replies so thought I'd ask again. Thanks guys! 

[LauraTX]

A lot of autoimmune/immune diseases and such tend to go together in groups.  I have celiac disease, lupus, and common variable immunodeficiency (low IGG, IGA).  Each of the many specialists I see stress the importance of taking care of everything together, not ignoring one because you need to care for yourself as a whole.  If you have the resources, I would definitely get screened for anything like this if it is so prevalent in your family history.  Particularly with the Alpha-1 (I have a cousin with this), you would definitely benefit from a diagnosis and treatment before you show symptoms.  Raynauds is more of a nuisance symptom of many conditions than a condition itself, but it can indicate that there is something else going on so it doesn't hurt to get that checked out.  

[Gemini]

I don't think Reynaud's has anything to do with this type of deficiency, if that's what you meant.  Reynaud's is another autoimmune disorder which happens frequently with other AI problems. It's more of an inflammatory problem, stemming from having autoimmune disease.  They like company. 

 

I have Reynaud's and it was pretty bad before I knew I had Celiac and was diagnosed.  Just from following the gluten-free diet alone, mine got immensely better.  I can now grab things from the freezer section at the grocery store without gloves on. My fingers do not blanch like they used to. I no longer worry about it or think about it. Even in winter it is not that bad. So, I think it very plausible that things will improve with the diet alone.  There is also no test for Reynaud's....it's diagnosed from symptoms and other AI problems.

 

As for the deficiency, I probably wouldn't be tested if I had no symptoms associated with it.  But that's just me.  Sometimes getting a diagnosis for carrying a genetic marker can be more of a burden of worry but everyone is different in how much they want to know.  If I am feeling well, I go with that!