Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Son not understanding my diagnosis


Deades

Recommended Posts

Deades Contributor

I am 7 weeks diagnosed with silent celiac.  I am doing great and feel like  I have a good handle on everything.  What I am struggling with is my 21 year old son not understanding my diagnosis and the importance of avoiding cross contamination and why all of a sudden I can't have a Cookie, piece of cake, etc..   Since I don't have physical symptoms, he doesn't think it will hurt to have a piece of cake or something else.  He doesn't yet know that I have contacted our doctor to have both my kids blood tested.  Is there any advice on how to convince him the severity of following a strict gluten free diet.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Jays911 Contributor

When I get glutened, I cough. Loud.  for 20-30 minutes.  Once people hear that, they take it seriously.  Refer your son to the newbie thread. If he still doesn't get it, kick him in the posterior. Hard!  

pschwab Enthusiast

Have him read about the disease and the multitude of repercussions that occur from gluten consumption that have nothing to do with "classic stomach" issues. Not following a strict gluten free diet can lead to terrible diseases because your body will be so weak and damaged. When my son was diagnosed, reading about the disease made a big impact on our family members. Good luck and stay strong!

Victoria1234 Experienced

Tell him asap to expect to get blood drawn next week or whenever the appt. is. My boys never like surprise medical exams!

Deades Contributor

When I was diagnosed, I told both kids they will have to be tested. They don't know it will be happening sooner rather than later.

Gemini Experienced
14 hours ago, Deades said:

When I was diagnosed, I told both kids they will have to be tested. They don't know it will be happening sooner rather than later.

If your son is 21 years old, then I am not sure you can force him to be tested. He's of age. 

It is huge problem.  I have an extended family member whose early 20 something daughter is a diagnosed Celiac and she will not follow the diet.  Her mother is so worried because she is always unwell and in pain but will not follow a strict diet.  Too inconvenient at this stage of the game.  Because of her age, her mother cannot force her to do anything.  This is the hardest part of Celiac Disease.  I wish you a lot of luck convincing him!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to MagsM's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      26

      Inflammation and Menier’s disease link?

    2. - nataliallano replied to MagsM's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      26

      Inflammation and Menier’s disease link?

    3. - Zuma888 replied to Zuma888's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Hypothetical question about antibodies

    4. - Scott Adams replied to Zuma888's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Hypothetical question about antibodies

    5. - Betsy Crum replied to Betsy Crum's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      4

      Chest pain from celiac


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,235
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    judycs
    Newest Member
    judycs
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      How long have you been strictly gluten free? Certainly, it would be good to look into vitamin and mineral deficiencies and supplementation. The B vitamins, magnesium and D3 are all very important to neurological health. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to reverse gluten-induced neurological damage damage if it has gone on for a long time. 
    • nataliallano
      Thanks Trents I'm strict with my gluten-free diet now. I just don't feel any better. I'm going to get tested for vitamins and minerals to see if I need some supplements. For sure I got some damage that doctors call Menier's and the only way they treat it is with medicine that does damage my body more than it helps.   
    • Zuma888
      Thank you Scott for your helpful response! Based on this, would you say someone who is on a gluten-free diet - but not strict about cross-contamination and occasional cheating - and tests negative for tTg-IgA while having normal total IgA is not likely to have celiac, even if they have been 'gluten-free' for years?
    • Scott Adams
      That’s a really insightful observation about antibody testing and the gluten challenge! You’re absolutely right that antibody levels can remain elevated for months or even years after going gluten-free, especially if there’s ongoing cross-contamination or occasional slip-ups. The immune system doesn’t reset overnight—it can take time for antibodies like tTG-IgA to normalize, which is why many doctors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months of strict gluten-free eating before retesting. For someone who’s been gluten-free for less than two years or hasn’t been meticulous about avoiding cross-contact, there’s absolutely a chance they’d still test positive, since even small amounts of gluten can keep antibodies elevated. This is partly why the gluten challenge (where you eat gluten before testing) exists—it’s designed to provoke a measurable immune response in people who’ve been gluten-free long enough for antibodies to drop. But you raise a great point: the challenge isn’t perfect, and false negatives can happen if the timing or amount of gluten isn’t sufficient to trigger a strong antibody response. This is why diagnosis often combines antibody tests with other tools like genetic testing or endoscopy. Your question highlights just how nuanced celiac testing can be! For people with celiac disease hidden gluten in their diets is the main cause of elevated Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibodies (tTG-IgA), but there are other conditions, including cow's milk/casein intolerance, that can also cause this, and here is an article about the other possible causes:      
    • Betsy Crum
      Thank you for your response! I have considered starting a food diary in the past, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start.  
×
×
  • Create New...