Question About Enterolab Results

[amberleigh]

Here's what my results said...

HLA gene analysis reveals that you have two copies of the main genes that predispose to gluten sensitivity and celiac sprue, HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8. Having two copies of a gluten sensitive or celiac gene means that each of your parents, and all of your children (if you have them) will possess at least one copy of the gene. Two copies also means there is an even stronger predisposition to gluten sensitivity than having one gene and the resultant immunologic gluten sensitivity or celiac disease may be more severe.

So my question is...does this mean that ALL OF MY CHILDREN WILL HAVE CELIAC? Do you have it if you only have 1 gene? Or are you considered a "carrier"? How does it work?

And...my parents have never been dx'd or had problems. So does this mean that they both have it as well?

And...the funny thing is that I've only gotten really sick twice in my life. Once was 6 years ago and they told me I had IBS, then I was "fine" for 6 years, had my 3rd baby and got sick again. Now they say I have Celiac. How can I be more sensitive to it with 2 genes if I only had 2 "flare ups"? I know there are some people on this board that have suffered for years.

[gfpaperdoll]

Amber, you are only 29, imagine if you were 60 - I know unbelievable & from the age of 29 on your life was a downward spiral - if you are lucky enough to actually survive, before they find out what is wrong with you. I am not as lucky as you because I am double DQ1 & I have suffered with this since I was a baby - but no one ever figured it out. then 37 years ago I gave birth to a son that was born with it, & his son was born with it 11 years ago. the 11 year old is failure to thrive & is also double DQ1. one of the genes I passed to my son, he passed to his son, & the grandchild got another one from his mother. & it was only 3 1/2 years ago that I found out about celiac - after thinking I had a wheat allergy for 10 years before that...

Just having the gene or genes does not mean that you have celiac or gluten intolerance, just that it is a possibility. You can also have total villi atrophy & no symptoms. You can have villi atrophy & have no gastro symptoms, but maybe you suffer from migraines, depression, asthma, diabetes, throid disease, cancer, on & on... or you can have partial villi atrophy & be bedridden well on your way to worse... or you could be bedridden or very ill & have no villi atrophy. It is any wonder that the docs cannot diagnose this stuff???...

here is how the genes work. If you have two genes, you got one from your father & one from your mother. not that they had the disease but they had the genes at least. It is my personal opinion that if you have the genes you have a problem with gluten & I think that is the stand that Dr. Fine takes also. anyway, back to the genes. so you have two. each one of your children will get one of your genes. If you only have one gene, each one of your children have a 50% chance of inheriting that gene.

[hathor]

Having the gene doesn't mean you have the disease. It merely means that you might get it. As the information from Enterolab said, there is a "predisposition." However, a rather substantial proportion of the population has "celiac genes" and doesn't have, and won't ever get, celiac. There may be other genes involved that haven't been identified and/or the need of some triggering event.

Actually, about everyone in the US has either celiac genes or gluten intolerant genes, as defined by Enterolab. Only those with DQ4, found in those of Asian heritage, seem to be in a different category.

I think the antibody & malabsorption scores are of FAR more importance than the genes you have.