Epstein Barr Virus

[Maddi]

I didn't know where to post this so sorry if it's in the wrong thread. So my new doctor is actually a good doctor and has ran a lot of tests and I've only seen him twice. Well my igm was slightly elevated. So he told me that in people my age what's most common is the Epstein Barr Virus. So I get a call from the office and he wants to see me in person. That's the only test he ran last time so I'm almost sure it's bc it came back positive.

Obviously EBV isn't going to cause my digestive problems or my reaction to gluten...at least I don't think. Weird bc I've never had mono.... but apparently that isn't uncommon. Well, I remember getting the flu a few years ago bUT I can't remember if that was before or after my problems started. Is there any connection between EBV and Celiac?

This is unrelated but I talked go my aunt (dad's twin) recently bc I heard she was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia...welllll... she told me she doesn't eat gluten bc she has a problem with it but has never been tested for Celiac. And that she doesn't even eat processed foods bc they make her feel sick. Which got me thinking that maybe she has Celiac! I'm a bit excited about this. Since her mom (my grandmother) is the one with thyroid problems (so do both her of sisters) and my grandmother was diagnosed with IBS.. and is lactose intolerant it kinda all connects. Tomorrow I'll request the Celiac gene tests and hopefully get closer to my diagnosis. I also printed about 20 pages showing people's Celiac diagnosis stories with negative blood serum but positive biopsies. And also there are some studies in there. Hopefully my doctor doesn't find that offensive. I just want to get diagnosed.

[mommida]

The general thinking:  People can have a gene associated with Celiac.  DQ2 and DQ8 are the most recognized Celiac genes.  (Not the only genes associated with Celiac.)

 

Something has to "trigger" the immune system to start attacking healthy tissue.  Any illness, or stress can be a possible trigger.  EBV has been mentioned by quite a few posters here.  But honestly, you can make yourself crazy trying to figure out what triggered Celiac.  If you have it, you have it and it would be more proactive to concentrate on a healthy gluten free diet. 

 

By the way, your dad should be tested (at least if he is anemic) .  Men can be "silent Celiac" (not really having stomach upset symptoms, but still suffering vitamin defiencies). Female hormones tend to make symptoms worse.

[Maddi]

Hello!

Yes, I've read about other that genes might be related to Celiac but the most common are the ones you mention. I need to know if Celiac is a possibility so I need to get tested somehow.

That makes a lot of sense! I just wanted to see if maybe that triggered my problems to try to pin point when my problems started.

My dad isn't anemic but his liver enzymes are elevated and he does have digestive problems (constipation and diarrhea). It'll be hard to get him to actually get tested but I'm going to try to convince him.

[intromode333]

I know this was 3 years ago, but for anyone who reads through this and also for you if your dad’s issues are still unresolved, vitamin B deficiency causes high bilirubin (liver enzymes), with vitamin deficiency being caused by celiacs due to inability to absorb nutrients. high bilirubin is thus a huge indication of celiacs ive realized. ok thats all good luck!!!