Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Origin Of Celiacs?


C'smum

Recommended Posts

SacGFGirl Explorer

I'm Polish and German and the only one in my family who has celiac, although my sister seems to be developing a gluten intolerance.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



  • Replies 97
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Jenny (AZ via TX) Enthusiast

Wow, it looks like there's a little of everything here. I'm mostly French, then Spanish and a little Irish and Welsh(sp). My gastro asked me if I was Irish.

I reside in Ontario but grew up with my family in England.My family believed themselves to be true English.Recently we found out that we are of Irish decent through my fathers side the same side that has passed on Celiacs to me.There is some belief that Celiacs originate from Ireland.Whats your background?
  • 2 weeks later...
raen Apprentice

i am inclined to beleive celiac is dominantly european/"white" based on everything ive read to date.

i am only three things - my mom is cherokee and i got celiac from my dad who is a combo english-scottish.

i read somewhere that the first (assumed) celiacs were roman, though.

  • 2 weeks later...
Maryellen Newbie

I am of Irish, English and Scottish descent but I don't think it has to do with "nationality" per say. When I remember back to my childhood some of the elders from Europe knew that bread, cakes, cookies and gravies were not for "our type of people". My paternal grandmother was absolutely firm about it and I remember a pretty heated moment between my grandmother and my father one holiday about barring bakery cookies from the house. They always said that we should "stick to the old ways" and that our "mother lineage" had a particular style of cookery that kept us well. This was why so many of them wouldn't change from Cahtolicism because the explanation was that the Church had the only continuous written records internationally of births, deaths and marriages thereby tying one back to their original mother lineage. We were all supposed to stick to something called the "strict code of names" which ties this together. It really is quite fascinating to me and the more I research it the more it becomes understood that you could live in the NW of Ireland and be of the same mother tribe as someone in the Southern tip of Italy. My Dad's parents were from Ireland and Scotland, most were of a tribe called D'Anu. Every firstborn girl was named a derivation of Anna; Maryann, Oona, Enya and when they became the elder of the clan they put the "N" in front of the name, hence, the title "Nana" or "Nanny" in English. In Italy it would be Nona or Nonni, Anglo Norman is Nancy. Every first born son was supposed to be William but as years went on the names were jumbled around a bit. My mom's people were from England and Scotland and were Brigends and they have almost the same name sequencing. I later found out all Brigends are a direct descendant tribe of D'Anu. I believe now that many of them had Celiac in one form or another and consequently had horrible disease and suffering in their lives and ultimately died young.

MauriceReed Newbie
The first description of childhood and adult coeliac disease was written in the second half of the second century A.D. by a contemporary of the ancient Roman Physician, Galen. He is known as Aretaeus of Cappadocia and his writings which have survived to more recent times were edited and translated by Francis Adams and printed for the Sydenham Society in 1856. The original Greek Text of the sections on "The Coeliac Affection" suggests that Aretaeus may possibly have understood a remarkable amount about the coeliac condition.

So, the Romans were aware of this some 1,800 years ago which show that the condition is not as recent as some may think. Take a look at the following article which makes interesting reading:

Open Original Shared Link

samcarter Contributor

Heinz 57. :D

Seriously, all I know about my ancestry for sure is that my dad is 1/2 German, 1/4 Irish, 1/4 Hungarian. My mom's ancestry is pretty much a mystery, since her people were so busy making the farms produce something that they were too busy to write down where everybody came from. :huh: So I have no idea what my ancestry is on my maternal side.

mslee Apprentice

Wow!

Interesting!

I am also a German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Swedish, Choctaw, Black Foot Mutt!

I wonder if those of pure Native American (both North and South) blood have a better tolerance to nightshades? Or do they just make everyone feel cruddy?

oooh, yeah on second thought ... probably none of those left

....but in theory :huh: ?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



hawaiimama Apprentice

I am 1/4 Irish 1/4 English, 1/4 from the Channel Islands and 1/4 scottish.

My kids have half chinese thrown in for good mix of the breeding gene pool ;)

suett Newbie

Hi,

I am Norwegian and Kroacian, Scottish, and Italian

aorona Rookie

I am 1/2 swedish, from my mother's side (the side celiac came from), part german, & french from my father's side. The fair skin has nothing to do with gluten. I have an olive skin tone and my mom tan's pretty good too.

dogle Apprentice

Mother: Asturian ancestry (Northern Spain) and Portuguese ancestry. She is white, blue eyes and strawberry hair.

Father: Spain ancestry and Native American (Aztec). My father is browned-skinned with brown hair but his family is a mix of aztec apparience people and red-hair white people.

I have green-hazel eyes, fair skin and freckles all over my face, chest, back, arms. I was blonde as a kid but my hair now is brown.

angieInCA Apprentice

another mutt here. Mother's side- Lakota Sioux and Irish. Father's side - Northern Italian and Irish.

So, not only did I get a double wammy of Irish but I get to be Native American Indian lactose intollerent too :rolleyes:

Chrissyb Enthusiast

German, Polish and Irish. My kids are German, Polish, Irish and Spanish they have the Spanish look dark hair, eyes and skin where I am fair skin, blue green eyes and dark blonde hair. Nobody ever believes they are my kids. Works well when the misbehave :lol:

healthiernow Newbie

Irish/English/Mohegan/Swiss

I see a lot of Irish on here

nasalady Contributor

Sounds like the luck of the Irish to me! :lol:

My background is mostly Irish and English, but I'm 1/4 Austrian because of my maternal grandfather from Salzburg.

Blueberry Newbie

My mother's side is mostly Irish (they came over here on the ships in 1862 from Ireland) and some English on her mother's side. My father is Scottish through and through. I think I got more of the Irish side though... I have fair skin, hazel eyes, and the lightest hair out of all my family. The other thing, my mother is also celiac. We also think my brother and sister may have it, but refuse to acknowledge it. I think that other people are right in thinking their may be an Irish connection, since alot of poeple seem to have Irish ancestory...

land-turtle Newbie
I agree. I think it is no longer an issue with where your family is from. The fact of the matter is that our food suppliers are poisioning us! Too many hormones, too many fillers, too many additives etc... Our Government is allowing this to happen. (We should start a new post.) Let me ask everyone here a question (30 and older) When you were growing up did you kow anyone that had cancer? If you did wasn't it a BIG deal? How many people do you know that have it or have had it now? Big difference right? How many new diseases and ailments have you read about/heard about? It's our food and the toxic chemicals that we use everyday.The US is now poisioning other countries. I will say this to all of you that may say something negative to what I posted: I have only been gluten-free for 6 days. I was never worried about what I ate etc... although I did try to eat somewhat healthier foods. I was aware of some of the chemicals in my food, but I had no idea the affects that it had until this happened to me. The population isn't educated enough. I know that I wasn't. I just rolled with "the times." I figured I would probably die of a heart realted disease,but I just didn't GEt how bad all of this stuff was. I had never even heard of celiac disease even through my medical training. We now have tons of cancer, autism, thyroid diseases, ADHD, ADD, OCD, RLS, celiac disease, Chronic Fatigue (not spelled right lol) IBS, Addisons, Parkinsons, allergies, COPD, mad cow disease, avian flu, SARS, AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis through the roof (and a new addition to it every 5 years or so), drug addiction, seziures, depression, ulcers, diabetes is skyrocketing, we have CFS oh my goodness I could go on forever. The sad part is this: there is no cure for most of these. It is sad. Please educate people about what they are putting into their bodies and allowing their children to eat. It's scary. We have done this to ourselves unknowingly. I know that I also did it to my children unknowingly and that hurts me. I always bought what was cheap because of funds, but when I look back I could've done better. We ate out a lot. I could've bought healthier foods instead of eating out, and probably had money left over. I know I am devestated by celiac disease, and the affects it has had on my family. I am ranting in the wrong place, I'm sorry. :) My point is that no one is "safe" anymore. I'm sure at one time there was a link, but it would be impossible to track now due to US food CC.
land-turtle Newbie
I agree. I think it is no longer an issue with where your family is from. The fact of the matter is that our food suppliers are poisioning us! Too many hormones, too many fillers, too many additives etc... Our Government is allowing this to happen. (We should start a new post.) Let me ask everyone here a question (30 and older) When you were growing up did you kow anyone that had cancer? If you did wasn't it a BIG deal? How many people do you know that have it or have had it now? Big difference right? How many new diseases and ailments have you read about/heard about? It's our food and the toxic chemicals that we use everyday.The US is now poisioning other countries. I will say this to all of you that may say something negative to what I posted: I have only been gluten-free for 6 days. I was never worried about what I ate etc... although I did try to eat somewhat healthier foods. I was aware of some of the chemicals in my food, but I had no idea the affects that it had until this happened to me. The population isn't educated enough. I know that I wasn't. I just rolled with "the times." I figured I would probably die of a heart realted disease,but I just didn't GEt how bad all of this stuff was. I had never even heard of celiac disease even through my medical training. We now have tons of cancer, autism, thyroid diseases, ADHD, ADD, OCD, RLS, celiac disease, Chronic Fatigue (not spelled right lol) IBS, Addisons, Parkinsons, allergies, COPD, mad cow disease, avian flu, SARS, AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis through the roof (and a new addition to it every 5 years or so), drug addiction, seziures, depression, ulcers, diabetes is skyrocketing, we have CFS oh my goodness I could go on forever. The sad part is this: there is no cure for most of these. It is sad. Please educate people about what they are putting into their bodies and allowing their children to eat. It's scary. We have done this to ourselves unknowingly. I know that I also did it to my children unknowingly and that hurts me. I always bought what was cheap because of funds, but when I look back I could've done better. We ate out a lot. I could've bought healthier foods instead of eating out, and probably had money left over. I know I am devestated by celiac disease, and the affects it has had on my family. I am ranting in the wrong place, I'm sorry. :) My point is that no one is "safe" anymore. I'm sure at one time there was a link, but it would be impossible to track now due to US food CC.
slmprofesseur Apprentice

I am the true mutt:

I am african-american. I am unsure of my african ancestors, however, my great grand mother was the daughter of her slave owner. My mother has a Scottish last name and father has a Welsh last name. (both are african-american).

My husband has a Ukranian/German background.

I think I have more European blood than anyone wants to admit. Many relatives have had stomach cancer, diabetes, gout, etc. etc. I am the first to go Gluten-free.

As for the proof of this blood...

Our first son has blonde hair and light brown eyes! (No one thinks I am his mother!)

I can tolerate nightshades- no problem.

mftnchn Explorer

So interesting! Gene pool mixing just has increased with all the increased moving around in the world.

What I know is German, English, Norwegian, but nobody really knows what all is in the mix. My grandfather had the bright red hair...

I'm the only celiac I know of in the family but suspect many others; both parents have DQ2 because I have a double dose of it. Means all 5 of my siblings have at least one DQ2 gene and so do my two kids.

one more mile Contributor

My grandma advises me not shake a stick at anyone.

I have Irish, prussian, German, English, welsh, black, American Indian.

and enough "randy gals" that any thing is possible.

one more mile

mysty Newbie

im german/hungarian...blonde and blue eyes...both of my grandmothers died of complications related to the disease...and there are plenty of allergies in the family tree.

i married a scotsman...and my kids seem to be no better for that lol

all my children are intolerant to wheat in some way...and my nephew is allergic to peanuts and wheat and gluten...while his sister is not.

my husband isnt allergic to a thing ...but he does have diabetes and arthritis...so obviously some immune disfunction on his side that he doesnt feel inclined to go further into lol.

MollyBeth Contributor

Italian, Iraish and English!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to catsrlife's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Patiently Waiting to See Results

    2. - trents replied to Leeloff's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      75

      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

    3. - Gigi2025 replied to Leeloff's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      75

      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

    4. - Rejoicephd replied to JulieRe's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      7

      Oral thrush question

    5. - catsrlife posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Patiently Waiting to See Results


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,897
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Sgp
    Newest Member
    Sgp
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
    • trents
      You state in an earlier post that you don't have celiac disease. Here in this post you state you will "be doing another test". What will this test be looking for? What kind of celiac disease testing have you had done? If you have used a Entero Labs it sounds like you have had stool testing done for celiac disease which is not widely accepted as a valid celiac disease diagnostic testing method. Have you had blood antibody testing for celiac disease done and do you realize that for antibody testing to be valid you must have been eating generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks/months? 
    • Gigi2025
      No, I've not been diagnosed as celiac.  Despite Entero Labs being relocated to Switzerland/Greece, I'll be doing another test. After eating wheat products in Greece for 4 weeks, there wasn't any reaction.  However, avoiding it here in the states.   Thanks everyone for your responses.  
    • Rejoicephd
      Thank you @JulieRe so much for sharing this extra information. I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better and I hope it keeps moving in that direction. I feel I'm having so many lightbulb moments on this forum just interacting with others who have this condition. I also was diagnosed with gastric reflux maybe about 10 years ago. I was prescribed ranitidine for it several years back, which was working to reduce my gastric reflux symptoms but then the FDA took ranitidine off the shelves so I stopped taking it. I had a lot of ups and downs healthwise in and around that time (I suddenly gained 20 pounds, blood pressure went up, depression got worse, and I was diagnosed with OSA). At the time I attributed my change in symptoms to me taking on a new stressful job and didn't think much else about it. They did give me a replacement gastric reflux drug since ranitidine was off the shelves, but when I went on the CPAP for my OSA, the CPAP seemed to correct the gastric reflux problem so I haven't been on any gastric reflux drug treatment for years although I still do have to use a CPAP for my OSA. Anyway that's a long story but just to say… I always feel like I've had a sensitive stomach and had migraines my whole life (which I'm now attributing to having celiac and not knowing it) but I feel my health took a turn for much worse around 2019-2020 (and this decline started before I caught covid for the first time). So I am now wondering based on what you said, if that ranitidine i took could have contributed to the yeast overgrowth, and that the problem has just been worsening ever since. I have distinctly felt that I am dealing with something more than just stress and battling a more fundamental disease process here. I've basically been in and out of different doctor specialties for the past 5 years trying to figure out what's wrong with me. Finally being diagnosed with celiac one year ago, I thought I finally had THE answer but now as I'm still sick, I think it's one of a few answers and that maybe yeast overgrowth is another answer. For me as well, my vitamin deficiencies have persisted even after I went gluten-free (and my TTG antibody levels came down to measurably below the detectable limit on my last blood test). So this issue of not absorbing vitamins well is also something our cases have in common. I'm now working with a nutritionist and taking lots of vitamins and supplements to try and remedy that issue. I hope that you continue to see improvements in working with your naturopath on this. Keep us posted!
    • catsrlife
      Back at the end of July I got this rash on both of my forearms. It started on my right and continued to the left. It was on the top and side. The rash has bumps that would pop with clear liquid if scratched. They would almost crystalize and scab up. They reminded me of chicken pox. They would scab for weeks and not heal much at all except for the blood clotting. If the scab was scratched off, it would bleed and bleed until it scabbed up again. The skin has lost its pigment where the scabs are. I figured it was probably either the plant I had trimmed around the 15th or some reaction to the magnesium complex I was taking or an allergic reaction to the asthma meds I was on. I stopped the asthma meds and the magnesium. The rash seemed to get better but when I took the asthma meds it flared up again so I went to the urgent care as my doctor was unavailable. The UC doctor said it probably wasn't the meds and asked about my diet. I said I was strict keto. I usually am, but there is a story around this. I feel amazing on keto. When I eat sugar, wheat, and starchy veggies I feel horrible. Blood sugar goes up, IBS type symptoms, brain fog, etc. But I have a horrible addiction to carbs so I blow it sometimes and after Mom died in 2023, I fell off the wagon. No rashes, just weight gain. I finally went back on keto and then around that time had a piece of pizza (or so, it's hard to stop the carb rush.) So I was strict keto, off and on. She ignored that and prescribed some allergy meds. It didn't go away.  What was happening by then was that the rash was now on my upper elbows, both of them, on the back of my arms. It starts with a very itchy bump, spreads around it and sometimes just burns like crazy and other times just itches. Then it started on the sides of my knees on the oustide, a little bit down the sides of the calves. It's not as bad there as it is on my arms even though it comes and goes (and so does wheat in my diet.) I then got three tiny blisters on each hand, 3 on the insdie of my index finger on the right hand and 3 on the inside of middle finger of my left hand. There is still a little scab there even though it was two weeks ago. No more have appeared on the fingers. But right now the back of the arms above my elbows are starting to itch. At some point I started to think mites from the possum that was sneaking into our house but it's been 3 months and they would be dead already. It wouldn't be from humans because I don't go near any humans although I did take an Uber to the doctor and the bus back. Plus, it's symmetrical. It starts on one side and is almost identical on the other.  I did my DNA with Ancestry and MyHeritage. I don't have the HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8. I do have HLA-DQ2.2. I took the blood test but it was negative. Then again, I don't eat wheat every day. I rarely eat it except for lately when I've been preparing for the blood test if I have to take it again. I don't like to. It makes my joints hurt, gives me brain fog, stomach problems, I sleep in the middle of the day, etc. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. I hope that she will be more serious about this than the UC doctor was.  So I have no idea. With my luck they'll magically disappear before the doctor appointment. That's what happens with everything.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.