I Have Celiac -- Need To Test My Two Children

[Maureen73]

Hi all -

I'm hoping you have help educate me a bit... I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost two years ago. My daughter, Emma, will be five in February and my son, Ryan, will be two in May. Neither of my children have been tested for celiac as their pediatrician has told me that as they are not presenting "gi problems", they do not need to be tested at this point.

I recently saw my gi doctor for my annual check up and he sternly reprimanded me for not having Emma tested. He said that Ryan will need to be tested once he is age two. He said it does not matter if they are presenting gi problems or not, they can still have celiac.

Since my pediatrician does not feel that the kids need to be tested, I want to go in there with the exact info on the bloodwork/tests that the kids will need to have done.

Are the bloodwork tests the same as on adults to identify celiac? Is it possible to have the celiac "gene" but not have celiac disease ever triggered? I am the only one in the house on a gluten free diet. Both kids are thriving and healthy (almost off the charts for height/size).

Sorry this is so long, I'm lost and am not sure what I need to do. I feel terrible that I haven't had Emma tested as of yet, but I have to admit I have a huge fear that the results will come back positive. I know how difficult it was for me at age 32 to change my eating habits and I can't imagine a child having to face those obstacles. Just breaks my heart.

Thanks for "listening" and for any information you can share.

Maureen

[chrissy]

maureen, can you get your gi to order the tests on your children? my kids' ped gi ordered the tests for our whole family even though we are not all his patients.

[zachsmom]

Yeah I can see where there would be a problem ... being they are doing well. But if you really want to see... ( have them tested... Can your doctor referr you to a doctor that will test the kids... The peditrician you have isnt sounding like he wants to help.... if your insurance covers the doctor he is referring... you too... ... But like we have said a lot ... its nice to know but THE DOWN SIDE TO KNOWING THIS IS ....... many folks are suffering more because the diagnosis is on the medical records... One lady here couldnt get life insurance..... I am not trying to sound like downer dawn on SNL >.. the girl who always has some negative thing to say... There is two sides to the diagnosis isssue that is all . One you want it for obvious reasons... and the second .. is you dont want it to ruin your medical insurance... But I guess if it boils down to they dont have it... god hopefully .. it wont be a problem,, hopefully they are fine and it is just you like you suspect... Alot of older doctors think that just because your not showing classic symptoms ... like underweight diareahha .. stomach bloating .. that you cant possibly have Celiac problems ... But this web sites proves that wrong. But I hope you have the best luck.