Need Gluten For Lab Tests?

[betsyabailey]

Hey there. I'm new here and trying to get my son's lab work completed for a celiac diagnosis. He started showing symptoms @ 6 months old and has been gluten free from 7 months. He's 19 months now and want to complete the lab work for diagnosis but can't get a clear answer from our doc as to wether he needs to add gluten for his blood work. I figured someone here would know the answer. He's getting Endomysial IgA and Gliadin IgA and G. I don't want to have to add gluten to his diet. It makes the family misserable, not to mention the poor little guy. Thanks so much.

Betsy

[Rachel--24]

The tests are not useful if he's already been on the diet. He needs to be eating gluten in order to have reliable testing. If there is no gluten in the diet...there will be no antibodies in the blood...and the bloodtests are looking for these antibodies.

The antibodies dont appear in the blood in a short period of time.....it takes awhile for them to appear. It is recommended that a person be eating gluten consistently for at least 3 months prior to testing. Some doctors will say a week or two of gluten is good enough....but this is not true...especially after having been off of gluten for several months.

Unfortunately, there is no way to get a diagnosis without putting him back on gluten.... the tests will likely be negative even if he does have Celiac.

[ravenwoodglass]

In addition to what was already said the tests on young children are often unreliable. In countries that test routinely they test asymptomatic kids at age 4 and again at around 11. Dietary response is also a valid form of diagnosis, have you seen resolution of the problems that made you decide to try the diet? What has been his reaction if he has consumed gluten accidentally?

[betsyabailey]

Oh yeah the diet works! He had awful digestion issues. I won't bother you with the details. He hasn't gotten any significant gluten since a fated Christmas cookie in December. I'm really bummed about having to add the gluten back. Seems silly to me. The whole reason we're having him tested is so it can go in his preschool file. Maybe we'll look at other preschools that will enforce diets without a doc's note. Thanks for the help.

Betsy

[Jestgar]

Smart Mom.

Maybe you can get a note from a doctor (any doctor, ask around) based on dietary response.

[dollamasgetceliac?]

I think that a school or restaurant or friend or anyone for that matter does not believe in you for what you say , then you are only going to face more problems with these people. Maybe that sounds harsh but I had to learn the hard way. So ask around , for schools who are more respectful of your childs Handicap. Which is an Epidemic by the way . You are not alone.