Suggesting Celiac Testing For Others?

[taweavmo3]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I'll post it here, lol.

I am struggling with a situation, and I'm curious how you all would handle it. I work in a children's hospital, and in the past have come across patients of mine who I think would really benefit from at least being tested for Celiac. I had one today that really troubled me, b/c this young girl's entire life was on hold b/c of debilitating symptoms. And she wasn't getting any answers at all.....even the GI docs basically said they didn't know what was wrong with her. SO, I couldn't leave without telling her mother about Celiac. I tried explaining it, but it's difficult explaining Celiac in a brief five minute encounter. Anyway, the mother mentioned it to the doctor, who said that testing for Celiac would have been included in the IBD antibody test. I didn't know enough about testing for IBD to say much more, I just mentioned that doing some research about Celiac might help her find some answers.

My first priority are my patients of course, but I was a little worried the doc would come questioning me about telling HIS patient what they needed to test for! I think you all know how some doctors can be, lol. I would like to keep my job, but it is so hard to just watch some kids suffer w/out at least mentioning Celiac.

How do you all handle approaching other people (especially parents of sick children) about being tested for Celiac? I'm finding it to be a little tricky, b/c some might get offended. But at the same time, I always wished someone had mentioned it to me so I didn't have to go searching for answers on the internet. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[kevsmom]

Maybe you could find some information in an easy to read format and print it out for them to read in their spare time. One thing I found quickly was:

Open Original Shared Link

Also something listing which blood tests are in the Celiac blood panal (for those doctors who are clueless).