Getting Kiddos Tested?

[mfalbo]

Hi all!

I have a quick question regarding my 2 sons (2 year old and an 8 year old).  Myself being recently diagnosed with Celiacs and not having stomach issues ever.  Should I get my sons tested, they have an appointment the end of this month just for a check.  Is it worth asking to see if they can test for it?

[africanqueen99]

YES!  All first degree relatives should be tested while on a gluten containing diet.  It's a simple blood test

 

Without that "guideline" my older daughter wouldn't have been DX.

[cyclinglady]

Yes!

Though I waited until the Affordable Heathcare went into effect. We are self-employed and In the past, I had hard time getting health insurance. I could afford it, but kept getting rejected!

My only symptom was anemia and our PCP/GP did not blink an eye, when I asked for my 13 year old to be tested. He also ran a CBC panel to check for anemia too. She tested negative, but will continue to get retested every few years.

[nvsmom]

Ditto!  I think the kids' chances of getting celiac disease are as high as one in ten, and that's over their entire lifetime.  Even if they have a negative test this time, if they continue to eat gluten they will need to be retested every two years or as soon as they exhibit any symptoms.  If they are entirely gluten-free, they won't need to be retested.

[mfalbo]

Thanks everyone! That makes me feel better!

[Cara in Boston]

Yes - just repeating what has already been said.  All first degree relatives of a person with confirmed Celiac Disease need to be tested every two years, regardless of symptoms.  Test sooner if symptoms are present.

[mfalbo]

Thanks everyone! 

[mommyto2kids]

Thanks everyone! 

I think the general population has a 1 in 100 chance of getting it and first degree relatives have a 1 in 25 chance of getting it in their life.

[florentine]

I just got my kids tested and my daughter got a positive result, my son did not. I will make sure to get him tested every 2 years, I didn't know about that, I thought he was good for the long run.

[nvsmom]

I just got my kids tested and my daughter got a positive result, my son did not. I will make sure to get him tested every 2 years, I didn't know about that, I thought he was good for the long run.

 

Yes, celiac disease can show up at any age so he'll have to continue to keep an eye out for it even as an adult.

[florentine]

Don't want to hijack the post, but is it ok for him to eat gluten at school for now? I don't see aby reason to upset him and not be able to eat like his friends for no reasons( even if I HATE the crap some parents bring)

[StephanieL]

Don't want to hijack the post, but is it ok for him to eat gluten at school for now? I don't see aby reason to upset him and not be able to eat like his friends for no reasons( even if I HATE the crap some parents bring)

 

The recommendation is that they eat a "normal" diet and test every 2-3 years OR if they show any signs and symptoms. As long as you are safe in the house wrt food prep or he buys at school, not an issue.

[cyclinglady]

Don't want to hijack the post, but is it ok for him to eat gluten at school for now? I don't see aby reason to upset him and not be able to eat like his friends for no reasons( even if I HATE the crap some parents bring)

I send my kid to school with a lunch that is full of gluten. I usually buy her pre-packaged gluten items. I treat her to a gluten snack (fast food) when we are running errands. She gets plenty of gluten.

[florentine]

Ok! Thanks! I will let him eat what is offered, it is a snack sharing type of school, I can pack things, but they would still offer him what they have. I just wished parents would bring healthy forms of gluten at school though, not cake and cheap brownies. He enjoyed his gluten at Thanksgiving already