Taking Kids To The Doctor On Friday

[prinsessa]

I have been having stomach problems for a while, so I decided to ask my doctor to test me for Celiac (after my mom mentioned that it might be a possiblity). He did a blood test, but it came back negative. I'm not sure if he tested for everything because he kind of told me that he didn't ask for one of the tests (he might have forgot). He said that he could refer me to a GI specialist if I wanted. I told him that I already started the gluten free diet (after the blood test), so any tests they would run would probably be negative anyway. So we agreed that I would keep doing the gluten free diet to see how I felt. I have been feeling much better unless I eat something with gluten. It is hard remember that gluten can be in anything.

Anyway....I am worried that my children might also be gluten intolerant. My son is very small for his age even though both my husband and I are tall. Both of my kids have dark circles under their eyes. My daughter isn't skinny (she has actually gained a lot of weight in the last year), but I would like to get her tested anyway. I want to know how to approach the doctor about this. My kids don't have any constant GI problems, but I would still like to get them tested. Has anyone asked their doctor to test their kids even without GI problems? Their doctor is really nice and seems open to suggestions. I just want to make sure that I go about it the right way. Thanks

[2Boys4Me]

Tell the doctor that you had inconclusive blood results but a positive dietary response, and that you'd like them tested. If the doctor tests for anemia, and they have low iron, get the Celiac blood panel done. Very low iron was my son's symptom. No GI issues at all.

[Carriefaith]

Maybe ask the doctor for a celiac gene test for yourself, to see if you have the celiac gene, and then just mention that you would like to get your kids tested for celiac disease. Here is a list of tests that you could ask for.

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Total Serum IgA

If he says anything negative about testing them or asks you why you want them tested, tell him all the symptoms that they have been having. I have also heard that children are being screened for celiac disease in some or one of the European countries so you could mention that as well.