Do you have to get tested?

[TheBugsMomma 0]

Hi! I'm new to the Celiac world. I have been gluten free for around seven months, but still seem to get glutened on a regular basis. I have been sick since January '16 and think that is when it triggered, but I didn't realize until October what it was. By that time I was pregnant with my little boy who is due in June. I also have an almost 4 year old daughter. I am really torn and wondering if I need to really be tested? I have very strong suspicions that I am a true celiac because my aunt has been diagnosed. Part of me says it doesn't matter, just live gluten free and assume you are, but the other part says I need to get tested so I know if my kids are at risk. So far my daughter is fine. She was grain free until after her first birthday, I plan on doing the same with my son. But I also don't want them to suffer the way I have. What would you do? 

The reason I don't want to get tested is I don't want to start eating it again and feel terrible while I have little kids, last year was so hard and I just want to get strong again. I also plan to bf for a few years and don't necessarily think it's a good idea to eat gluten while bf right? 

Thank you! 

[Jmg 299]

Hello and welcome

I tried a little while ago to put the pros and cons of testing etc in a post. You can see what I came up with here:

There's some good info in the site faq:

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/announcement/3-frequently-asked-questions-about-celiac-disease/

you may want to click the link on children's chances of inheriting it...

You may also find this useful:

http://www.parents.com/blogs/food-scoop/2015/03/27/diet/when-should-you-introduce-gluten-to-your-baby-well-it-depends/

I think you have good reasons to seek an answer out, but I'd suggest leaving any return to gluten until you're well past pregnancy! After cutting it out reintroduction can be pretty hard going and the last thing you need at the moment is additional stress. In the meantime you can be watchful for signs with your kids. 

Best of luck!