Testing for vitamin etc. deficiencies after celiac diagnosis

[villi-lover]

My daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease in August via blood antibody test results.  We took her in because she did not grow as expected during her third year, dropping from the 90th percentile to the 25th in height.

When her test results came in, her doctor did not think it was necessary to do any further bloodwork to check for vitamin or mineral deficiencies, or for anemia.  She thought that kids bounce back quickly once going gluten-free, and any deficiencies would quickly correct themselves as her body healed.

She has been gluten-free for 4 months.  The first two weeks (!) she grew an entire inch, which was amazing, but has not grown appreciably since, or gained any weight whatsoever.  I read a study which indicated most catch-up growth takes place in the first 6 months...so I am now concerned she may have underlying zinc or vitamin D deficiency or anemia that is interfering with her appetite and growth. 

So my question is:  did your doctors do follow-up bloodwork after the celiac diagnosis to check for correctable deficiencies?  (My husband certainly did after his diagnosis!)  I don't want to needlessly stick my kid with needles, but I'm starting to worry we are missing something.

[mommida]

Vitamin deficiencies can continue to be a problem after years of diagnoses.  There are not many gluten free breads that are vitamin and nutrient fortified compared to gluten mainstream products.

For example my daughter was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency 10 years on a gluten free diet.  Not to mention an iron test is done at every yearly check up, standard for every pediatric patient NOT diagnosed with Celiac.

[nmlove]

Is this a pediatrician or a gi doctor? I could see the reply from the one and not the other. 

My kids saw the gi doctor every 3months for awhile and then every six months until normal labs and now they go once a year. Doc checks not just celiac stuff (adherence to diet) but vitamin levels (particularly d and calcium), and also thyroid. 

Adult doctors tend to blow me off with celiac but I have never had that happen with my children. My oldest in particular struggles with deficiencies.