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Should I get tested for Celiac ?

Coldste
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Coldste Newbie
Coldste
Posted

Sorry if this isn’t the write forum it seemed most appropriate. 
 

So my dad has been diagnosed as Celiac, and his doctor said that if he has any children they should get tested. He’s got 2 me I’m two years older than my sister both in our twenties. Should we get tested? 
The reason I ask is because in May 2019 I had a UTI infection and my doctor ordered a blood test. Out of the things that the blood tests where looking for was Celiac disease since I had similar symptoms. Thankfully everything came back clear.

So is it worth me getting tested again only my way of looking at it is if I had that gene then the blood test would have picked it up even if it’s still dormant 

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GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted
(edited)

Did your doctor do the gene test?  Or did they do the ttg screening test?

The gene test does not diagnose celiac disease.  It does tell you if you have the genes that can cause it.  But around 30% of people have those genes and only 1% get celiac disease.

The ttg blood antibodies test is accurate for many people.  But it doesn't catch all cases of celiac disease.  There are more complete antibody tests sometimes called a celiac panel.  It checks more types of antibodies then the ttg screening test.

Celiac disease can appear at any point in life or at none.  Sometimes initial symptoms are digestion oriented but other times they are something else.  Like skin rashes, joint pain, hair loss, insomnia, nuerological issues, reproductive issues etc.  Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are also possible.

Getting tested every few years might be wise.  But definitely if you develop sustained digestive issues for a few months.

Edited by GFinDC
Coldste Newbie
Coldste
Posted
  • Author
5 hours ago, GFinDC said:

Did your doctor do the gene test?  Or did they do the ttg screening test?

The gene test does not diagnose celiac disease.  It does tell you if you have the genes that can cause it.  But around 30% of people have those genes and only 1% get celiac disease.

The ttg blood antibodies test is accurate for many people.  But it doesn't catch all cases of celiac disease.  There are more complete antibody tests sometimes called a celiac panel.  It checks more types of antibodies then the ttg screening test.

Celiac disease can appear at any point in life or at none.  Sometimes initial symptoms are digestion oriented but other times they are something else.  Like skin rashes, joint pain, hair loss, insomnia, nuerological issues, reproductive issues etc.  Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are also possible.

Getting tested every few years might be wise.  But definitely if you develop sustained digestive issues for a few months.

Cheers for the info, when I went back to the doctors, all he said was all your blood tests came back clear. Think it might have been a screening because he was looking for other things diabetes being one of them. Might go back and see him when this coivd is over 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

While you tested negative now, know that celiac disease can develop at anytime.  A recent Mayo Clinic study found that 44% of first degree relatives had celiac disease and about 80% had no symptoms at all.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-calls-for-screening-of-family-members-of-celiac-disease-patients/

My kid has been screened twice.  She will continue to get tested every few years, even if she has no symptoms.  

Coldste Newbie
Coldste
Posted
  • Author
53 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

While you tested negative now, know that celiac disease can develop at anytime.  A recent Mayo Clinic study found that 44% of first degree relatives had celiac disease and about 80% had no symptoms at all.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-calls-for-screening-of-family-members-of-celiac-disease-patients/

My kid has been screened twice.  She will continue to get tested every few years, even if she has no symptoms.  

Thanks for the advice and info, I’ll probably wait until things get some way back to normal then make a doctors appointment better to be safe than sorry 

MisterSeth Enthusiast
MisterSeth
Posted
12 hours ago, Coldste said:

So my dad has been diagnosed as Celiac

yes

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