Testing Siblings

[Tony'sMom]

Hello everyone.

Next monday my daughter is going to see my son's GI to have a celiac panel done. We were all tested when my son was first diagnosed and came back negative. However, my daughter has been having some issues lately that make me want to have her retested- stomach pains, constipation, not gaining weight, etc.

My question is- how often should family members be tested? If we were all negative 3 years ago when should we retest? Is there some kind of guideline to follow?

[jerseyangel]

Hi Amy--In Dr. Green's book, Celiac Disease-A Hidden Epidemic, he recommends that the screening tests be repeated every five years, or in the presence of symptoms in family members.

[flagbabyds]

<y sisters were screened every year just to make sure, it can't hurt. Then if they have positive results, you have caught it early.

[Tony'sMom]

Thank you!

I may have them screened every year, I'll just have it added to their yearly physical.

[mouse]

I thought that I read in Dangerous Grains that people should be retested every two years. But, in my opinion, when it comes to children, I would have them retested every year. Just as flagbabybds said. That way if they develop Celiac or gluten intolerance, you will have caught it in time, before all the damage can set in.