Celiac and depression in teenagers

[AmandaJ73]

My 15 yr old son recently came to me and said he didn't have any emotions and felt disconnected.  I thought this was due to summer boredom, teenage hormones and sitting on his phone too much! A couple of days later he was a mess and crying which is not like him. He asked to talk to a therapist and I found an awesome one that day!  She suggested that I also have my son's blood tested since I have hypothyroidism, an unspecified autoimmune disease and low vitamin D. The pediatrician tested his thyroid, drug/alcohol, testosterone and asked if I wanted him to test my son's antibodies.  I assumed that was an ANA test, but wasn't really sure what he was talking about.

The pediatrician called with the results and said everything was normal with the exception of his tTg levels.  They were elevated @ 99 and he believed my son has celiac's disease even though he doesn't have any digestive issues.  He said that depression and ADD (which he has) are also symptoms.  He suggested that he go gluten-free for 6 weeks and we retest to see if the tTg level goes down. He explained if it went down, that would mean he has celiac.  If it doesn't go down he could have another type of autoimmune disorder but could explain further.

I am going to get a second opinion and further info from a specialist.  Since my son doesn't have GI issues, would I still go to a GI dr?

[GFinDC]

Please don't let him go completely gluten-free until all celiac testing is done.  The testing consists of blood antibodies and then an endoscopy to check for damage to the small intestine.  If he eats just 1/2 slice of wheat bread  day it should keep the antibodies active enough to show up on the tests.  You should take him to a gastroenterologist for further testing.  In the meantime he may feel better if he stops eating dairy and sugary foods and carbs.

[Ennis-TX]

Stay on gluten and get the full panel down and follow up endoscope to confirm first.
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If he is celiac the diet is the cure and it is life, not even a crumb and you can not cheat or it will flare your for weeks with constant damage. A firm medical diagnosis will help him stick to it and get help in school etc with adhering to the diet.

Sometimes issues with the brain, fog, rage, emotions can be influenced by vitamin and mineral deficiencies caused by the damaged intestines not able to get enough from food. Stuff like Liquid Health Energy & Stress, Neuroloigcal Support for b-vitamins, and Doctors Best Magnesium powder for that...check deficiency symtoms and see if any other flags on these come up. Vitamin D and Iron are other common issues.
 

[AmandaJ73]

Thank you! He is scheduled for an endoscopy in 2 weeks. I just had my blood taken today. I don’t eat a ton of gluten on a daily basis. For the last week I have more than i usually eat. Do you think that will be enough to have the blood test show if I have it as well? I have been tested for everything under the sun because i suffer from joint and muscle inflammation. I also have horrible rashes that were biopsied to see if I have lupus. No lupus. I’m thinking i have been suffering from celiac as well for over 15 years and the docs never ran the panel for it. My endocrinologist just told me I would feel better if I gave up gluten so o did. He was right but I’d like to get a definitive answer. 

[GFinDC]

Hi,  Please check out the DH (dermatitis herpetiformis) section of the forum.  DH is the rash that some celiac people get.