Child' Blood Test Neg But Has Gene

[ADevoto]

I took my daughter to the GI because she has the worst gas (terrible!!) and it is getting worse. She also complains of being tired a lot. He didn't think that she has celiac because she is so healthy looking - tall, not weight problem. He did a blood test to rule it out just as a precaution. The tests came back negative but she does carry the gene. I also believe she has a milk allergy. SHe has premature and had to stay in the hospital because of severe bloating. Put her on soy and she was better. Anyway, the doctor does not want to do a bioposy (sp) and I don't want to put her through any more tests. What does everyone think of our situation. Can you have the gene and not have celiac?

Thanks for your answers

[tarnalberry]

Yes, she can have the gene and not yet have it activated, and hence not yet have celiac.

She could also be allergic to milk, or intolerant to it. If she does better off of milk, I'd keep her off of milk. You could have her allergy tested to find out if it's a casein allergy, or try lactaid to find out if it's a lactose intolerance.

But if you think she has other signs of having gluten intolerance (but just hasn't had enough damage for it to show up on blood tests) you could always try her on the gluten-free diet for a few months and see how she does...

[lindywink]

I'm assuming your daughter was on antibiotics as a child/new baby. This can create a myriad of problems from the get go. If you haven't already, give her probiotics. This is the good bacteria your body needs to have a healthy gut. Yes, without this, it can make her extremely sensitive to some foods. Still, for most people, wheat and dairy are hard to digest. I suggest you check out Mercola.com, a great web site by a health care practitioner. good luck. (I am a chiropractor and specialize in children)

[Boojca]

I'd be interested to know what blood test they ran. Some aren't as 'accurate' as others. I know we had the TTG test done, which is considered to be one of the most accurate but must be done 1 of the only 5 labs in the country who do it reliably (ours was sent to the Mayo Clinic) I know it sucks, but you may want to reconsider another test if you didn't have this one done. Although, I have to say, my son is 2 1/2 and he had the endoscopy and drawing his blood for the blood test was more traumatic than the endoscopy. He was knocked out for that! How old is your daughter? Just bc you don't have the "typical" symptoms doesn't mean you don't have Celiac, just about anyone will attest to that!