Suspecting Celiac In My Older Two As Well

[FeedIndy]

We have had a lot of behavioral issues over the years that I never would have connected to a dietary issue, other than noticing it is worse when they have a lot of sugar. Recently, my two older DDs have been complaining off and on about stomach aches. They also seem to have a lot of gas. DD4 eats constantly and is at the top of her growth chart so I wouldn't have made the connection if it weren't for this forum. DD9 eats quite often too (we're big fans of grazing around here), but is fairly normal in weight and only slightly above board for height.

The behavior problems seem to be worse the last few months. Today it just hit me-two months ago I went gluten free while nursing DD1 so the whole house was gluten-lite. I cooked all our evening meals completely gluten free so it wouldn't be an issue. Is it possible that being gluten light could cause the gluten they are getting to show more obvious symptoms?

Then do I try the diet on them or have them tested? DDs official test was negative, but she's only 1. If I have the older girls tested they would be more likely to have positive results (if they are celiac) since they are older (4 & 9), right? Then we could definitively say that DD is celiac and skip the challenge my doc wants to do when she's 4.

Just thinking aloud here, mostly, but any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated!

[celiacgirls]

I think I would test them just in case the test was positive but try the strict diet with them after the testing either way. The test could be negative even if gluten is the problem especially since they have been gluten lite. My 8 year old daughter's tests were always negative (except for Enterolab) but gluten is definitely a problem for her. I tested my older daughter and myself with Enterolab and after positive results, we went gluten free. My older daughter's behaviour was always an issue and that has completely gone away unless she accidently gets glutened or caseined. I didn't do the blood testing for her at the time because I wanted to try the diet to see if it improved her behaviour. My husband was disbelieving and I was afraid if her testing was negative, he would give me even more trouble about trying it. In hindsight, if her test had been positive, we would know for sure we are dealing with celiac and not just gluten intolerance. But then it would be on her insurance records and that might cause her some problems one day.

I do think going gluten lite might cause them to react more to gluten if they have a problem with it.

[chrissy]

this is just my personal opinion---but i wouldn't put my kids gluten free without a positive diagnosis of celiac----unless there were very definite problems and i was desperate to try anything. i know that other's on here would be more willing to go ahead and try gluten free.

[ACottrell]

I really don't see the harm in trying it for a month or so and seeing if there is any difference. We've been on it for less than a week and my FTT baby has apparantly already put on weight! It just depends on how invasive you feel the tests are for that age. We're total softies and the bloodwork was all we could allow them to do to our son, lol. Granted, I'm all new to this, but what harm could a trial be?

[MomandDadtoOGS]

I would personally have the testing done. I'd rather know for sure. The blood test really isn't that invasive and although endoscopy with biopsy is no picnic, if it can help prove one way or the other if your children have celiac, I'd do it. I didn't hesitate having it done when our ped. GI ordered it for my child's GERD. I'm so glad I did know b/c her GERD has resolved but we were able to 100% confirm celiac. If I didn't do it, our child would still be eating "regular" foods and not growing. As hard as this has been on us, it's also been a blessing to discover this now when she's 3 and not at 23 like my husband did. Heck, my FIL is 59 and just had a positive antibody test 2 weeks ago. Maybe my perspective is different b/c I'm going to be a nurse. I just like knowing things for sure and with medical tests to prove it.