Hi new here with some questions :)

[Super-Vet-Tech]

Hello! I'm a new poster! I'm Jami from Maryland. I stumbled upon this site and others related to Celiacs while trying to research help for my son. I am *somewhat familiar with Celiac's as I have a close friend that was diagnosed (after a long, grueling period of docs not knowing what was going on with her). I am also not one of those silly people that think "gluten-free" diets are something to use as a "diet" measure! I've seen her pain and frustration, I know that gluten-free is not some amazing weight-loss thing or whatever. 

Anyway, I wanted to post - because I'm really at a loss. My son doesn't have any of the symptoms that I know my friend went thru (constant poops, losing weight, inability to keep anything down - that's most of what she disclosed to me before her diagnosis). He does have insanely large bowel movements. I mean, clog the toilet - don't flush until you've told me kind. And it isn't a new thing. The only reason I am concerned is because that was also something that I dealt with most of my life (and aside from a few years ago, still do). I know my mother tried everything (more fiber, etc) and nothing helped. Even my son - he is 11 and he would much rather sit and eat an entire container of fruit than a candy bar. I know fiber intake is NOT the issue. 

I've researched Encopresis and that just doesn't really fit him- not to mention, it is not a hereditary condition. 

I know all symptoms are very individual, so I was hoping maybe if someone(s) have been thru this, perhaps some light could be shed and I'd like to know if it would be a benefit to have both he and myself tested. I am not currently on any type of gluten-free diet (as I don't necessarily have a reason as of now to do so)

Any advice is greatly appreciated. To be honest, it's a really embarrassing problem that I would rather not have to talk much about without some kind of preparation ... if that makes sense. 

 

Thank you :)

Jami

[squirmingitch]

Hi Jami, what you describe can be a symptom of celiac and especially if the stool floats, &/or is foul smelling &/or fatty or oily. Also if you see bits of food in it. And especially if this is happening more than once a day. 

I understand about your friend but there are some 200 symptoms associated with celiac. This does not mean if you have 1 of those 200 symptoms that you have celiac but that they are known to exist with celiac. I can tell you that over 50% of diagnosed celiacs did NOT present with ANY GI symptoms. Surprised to hear that? It's true; yet almost every single thing you read or hear about celiac says.......GI, GI, GI, GI, GI, blah, blah, blah. 

Any doctor can order the celiac serum panel but you might have to get real hard line with them & insist on it. Also, unless your insurance will not cover the full panel - make sure the FULL panel is ordered. Here is the full current celiac serum panel:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA
Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG
Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA
Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA
Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG
Total Serum IgA 

Also can be termed this way:

Endomysial Antibody IgA
Tissue Transglutaminase IgA 
GLIADIN IgG
GLIADIN IgA
Total Serum IgA 
Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG