Blood Transfusion

[b.claussen]

We are new to the site and have a 24 year old daughter who is mentally challenged who over a year ago was diagnosed as having Celiac. After attempting to be gluten free for over a year, recently she has had severe head pain and she is becoming malnutrised as she has been throwing up alot and of course has diarrhea. A recent trip to the hospital they are suggesting a blood transfusion to raise her hemoglobin which is currently at 6.5. It should be at 12. However they do not know what will happen after a transfusion and what reactions she may have regarding her Celiac condition. (We think we need a Gluten-free donor.) Has anyone ever heard of this or have suggestions? Dehydration has been mention but she has been drinking more water lately, but not as much as we would like. She also has been having trouble going to sleep. Bruce and Caroline

[ravenwoodglass]

We are new to the site and have a 24 year old daughter who is mentally challenged who over a year ago was diagnosed as having Celiac. After attempting to be gluten free for over a year, recently she has had severe head pain and she is becoming malnutrised as she has been throwing up alot and of course has diarrhea. A recent trip to the hospital they are suggesting a blood transfusion to raise her hemoglobin which is currently at 6.5. It should be at 12. However they do not know what will happen after a transfusion and what reactions she may have regarding her Celiac condition. (We think we need a Gluten-free donor.) Has anyone ever heard of this or have suggestions? Dehydration has been mention but she has been drinking more water lately, but not as much as we would like. She also has been having trouble going to sleep. Bruce and Caroline

Are you sure that they are talking about a transfusion? Could they have said they were going to use an blood iron infusion? That would be where they would use a vein to deliver iron but it doesn't involve using someone else's blood.

You say she is attempting to be gluten free? Does that mean that she is eating risky foods or sometimes cheats? Is she still getting gluten from someplace? Have you checked her meds, toiletries, pet foods, in home CC issues etc? Even an occasional injestion will set her recovery back which will prevent her being able to absorb the things she needs from her food and supplements. I suspect some gluten is sneaking in somewhere leading to the headaches, D and iron deficeincy.

[happygirl]

Celiac does not affect what blood you should receive.

None of the leading Celiac organizations ever discuss this, so its not a concern.

Best of luck!

[lovegrov]

You do not need a gluten-free donor. Makes no difference.

richard