Stool Test Or Blood Test For Toddler?

[CantEvenEatRice]

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed with Celiac about 3 years ago at age 25. I now have an 18 month old son. He has some eczema, occasional diarrhea/constipation (when sick with a cold) and has been catching a lot of colds/viruses lately. Overall he seems healthy and nothing stands out as an obvious symptom of Celiac. However, I suffered for 25 years before being diagnosed with Celiac and although I feel better on the diet, I do feel that damage was done (stomach issues,chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, etc). I do not want my son to have to go through what I went through.

My question is--I know the tests are not very reliable for toddlers, but I would like to have some testing done anyhow at this point just to see what the numbers are. Should I get the BLOOD tests or the Enterolab STOOL tests at this point? Any feedback about which test would be better would be very helpful.

Thank you so much!

-Noelle

[Nic]

  Can said:

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed with Celiac about 3 years ago at age 25. I now have an 18 month old son. He has some eczema, occasional diarrhea/constipation (when sick with a cold) and has been catching a lot of colds/viruses lately. Overall he seems healthy and nothing stands out as an obvious symptom of Celiac. However, I suffered for 25 years before being diagnosed with Celiac and although I feel better on the diet, I do feel that damage was done (stomach issues,chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, etc). I do not want my son to have to go through what I went through.

My question is--I know the tests are not very reliable for toddlers, but I would like to have some testing done anyhow at this point just to see what the numbers are. Should I get the BLOOD tests or the Enterolab STOOL tests at this point? Any feedback about which test would be better would be very helpful.

Thank you so much!

-Noelle

Like you said, the blood test might not be accurate at this point due to his age. Maybe you should have him tested for the gene to see if it is even possible for him to have it. Or go through Entrolab, everyone says they are more reliable but I am not sure about on toddlers. Someone else who has used them would know better. Also, while the symptoms you mentioned can certainly be Celiac related, they are also just common getting sick symptoms. Having diarrhea/constipation with a cold could be normal for him. Try talking to his pediatrician and looking into Entrolab.

Nicole

[sillyactsue]

  Can said:

My question is--I know the tests are not very reliable for toddlers, but I would like to have some testing done anyhow at this point just to see what the numbers are. Should I get the BLOOD tests or the Enterolab STOOL tests at this point? Any feedback about which test would be better would be very helpful.

Thank you so much!

-Noelle

HI,

I have a 2 year old daughter. Last April I order the stool and gene test from enterolab. It was the 400.00 option. They also tested her for casein sensitivity as part of the package. She did not have the gene for Celiac ( her father was recently diagnosed) but she has two copies of the gene for gluten sensitivity. and one for casein sensitivity. Even though she did not have malabsorbtion problems ( which they can tell from the stool test) she has trouble growing because her immune system is using up her calories to fight gluten and casein. Blood test will probably show up negative. I would highly recommend using enterolab. Just my experience and opinion. Good luck,

Gloria

[NoGluGirl]

  Can said:

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed with Celiac about 3 years ago at age 25. I now have an 18 month old son. He has some eczema, occasional diarrhea/constipation (when sick with a cold) and has been catching a lot of colds/viruses lately. Overall he seems healthy and nothing stands out as an obvious symptom of Celiac. However, I suffered for 25 years before being diagnosed with Celiac and although I feel better on the diet, I do feel that damage was done (stomach issues,chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, etc). I do not want my son to have to go through what I went through.

My question is--I know the tests are not very reliable for toddlers, but I would like to have some testing done anyhow at this point just to see what the numbers are. Should I get the BLOOD tests or the Enterolab STOOL tests at this point? Any feedback about which test would be better would be very helpful.

Thank you so much!

-Noelle

Dear Can'tEvenEatRice!,

Do not go for the ELISA test, it is not very accurate. According to the celiac.org Web site, there are three particular antibodies that should be tested for. They are Immunoglobulin A (Iga), anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA), and Iga anti-endomesium antibodies (AEA). Even if blood tests show negative results for Celiac Sprue, they can still miss gluten intolerance. That is what happened to me. I am 23 years old, and have had debilitating nausea, severe acid reflux, colon problems, stomach cramps, poking pains in my abdomen, and just recently went gluten-free. It was strange, because despite having my gallbladder removed and being on twice the dosage of Prilosec daily, I would get severe acid reflux just by eating soda crackers or a peice of buttered bread. Since going gluten-free, I have not had as much trouble with digestive problems, but still have a long way to go before I am well. Yeast candida may be what is causing the rest of my troubles. I was on numerous antibiotics, steroids, and birth control. Your little boy may need checked for that as well. A stool test is really the best thing they have for that. I hope this helped.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[CantEvenEatRice]

Thank you so much for the replies. I think I will order the Enterolab tests. We go for his 18 month checkup at the Ped tomorrow so I will see what she says as well. I just know all too well from experience that far too many doctors are not familiar with Celiac. My biggest concern is eczema like patches (raised yellowish and dry) he has all over his body. He doesn't itch his skin, but it just doesn't seem right. Plus he keeps getting diaper rash when he has a bm and I change him immediately. My gut tells me it is either gluten or milk or both.

Thanks!

[dahams04]

Just wanted to add my opinion. My son was just dx July 28th. He was having issues swallowing for hours on end. No other syptoms that then we thought about. Went on my weeks then they did the scope. He was pos. for Celiac from the biopsy. Dr then ordered some base line blood work. Well it all came back fine( one level was a little elevated). But from the biopsy we knew it was Celiac. He even commented that he has seen blood work like that before that he brushed off. So I wouldnt even do the blood work. I had my other 2 kiddos (5,9) tested via blood on Thursday, but I dont even know if I would trust the results. KWIM?