When To Test Sibling Of A Celiac?

[aerickson8]

My 5 yr old was dx with Celiac at age 2 and has grown wonderfully and lived a healthy gluten-free life.

Her little sister who is 2.5 has mostly been gluten-free but in recent months I've slacked. The pediatrician (whom i completely trust), told me a couple of weeks ago that I should start regularly giving her a little gluten every day and test her at her 3rd birthday which is at the end of March. I notice that she is more frequently complaining of tummy aches and tonight was in a lot of pain after a trip to the ice cream store where she ate an entire gluten filled cone. I'm wondering if I have to wait 2 more months to have her blood tested, or if I could test her now instead? I don't want to wait and watch her go through any pain if she is in fact celiac.

Do I run the risk of having to draw blood again at the end of March and have her tested now even if the results come back inconclusive? What would you if you were me? I just don't want to see her in pain. I want to know!!

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,

Alicia in Mill Creek, WA

[2Boys4Me]

If it were me, I'd have her tested now. It's not as though age three is the magic time where blood tests become definitive proof. If she has to have her blood drawn again in a couple of months, then so be it. I don't mean to be unsympathetic, but if you don't make a big deal of the blood draw and distract her during it, then it probably won't be a big deal. Some M&Ms after wouldn't hurt either.

Many people here will tell you that both blood tests and biopsy in young children is notoriously unreliable. My son had overwhelmingly positive blood results and a positive biopsy at 5 1/2 years old. His older brother had definitely negative results. Neither of my children complained of symptoms, though. We intend to test big brother every couple of years.

Good luck.

[Irishlass]

My dd had a negative blood test, but her symptoms disappeared as soon as we took the gluten out of her diet.

Your dd's body is definitely telling you something- do you need a positive blood test to confirm what you probably already know?