Testing For Myself/husband If My Daughter Has celiac disease

[jjc]

My daughter has celiac disease and now I'm wondering about the gene thing and if my husband and myself (and my other son) need to be tested. Her bloodwork was only mildly elevated, and she was VERY sick with symptoms. A gluten free diet has made a huge difference in her health. If hers was barely positive, and we don't really have any symptoms, then I'm sure our bloodwork would be negative.......or am I wrong in thinking that? Maybe a DNA test would be the better option for us. Any suggestions??

[ShayFL]

Antibody levels do not always equal severity of symptoms. You can have low antibodies and bad symptoms. You could have high antibodies and no symptoms. You can have a negative blood but positive biopsy and vice versa. Celiac isnt as cut and dry as some doctors might lead you to believe.

I would definately have everyone tested and request the genetic tests. You could save some (or all) of your family a lot of future pain.

[cymrudenver]

I was tested for moderate anemia, my levels were very elevated any my biopsy showed complete villi atrophy. I had my healthy children tested, my daughter who's complained of stomach pains maybe three times in her life and is a active athlete, had blood results worse than mine. Don't go with no symptoms = no celiac.

My parents and sister are waiting for their results to come back - they are in the UK.

Be safe, get everyone tested.

[munkee41182]

I was tested due to family history....I had no noticeable symptoms (meaning nothing big enough to complain about). I came back positive with bloodwork and biopsy. My father was tested (since the gene is on his side of the family) and he came back negative but he does have the gene (well duh how do you think I got celiac!)...and he eats pasta, bread and drinks beer quite often. He now has diabetes (which I've been trying to get him to get tested for celiac again) and he refuses to get tested. Honestly, you, your husband and your son might not have celiac...but you three might also have it. It's just something to keep an eye out for and keep in the back of your head if yuor tests do come out negative. Just another thing to put on your family medical history form!