Can You Self Test With Iodine?

[BarbaQ]

My 23 month old son recently had a positive gluten stool test from enterolab, however, when we took it to our family doctor, she had never heard of such a test. It seems our medical world does not accept this result and we are waiting for an appointment (5 months) with a gastroenterologist. There seems to be a lot of doubt in the mainstream medical model regarding the accuracy and validity of this test. Unfortunately, this leaves us in limbo.

He has had facial eczema (or possibly DH), for the last 11 to 12 months. This is his only symptom. Really, he is too young to tell us anything. He basically has not slept consistently through the night and we suspect that it may be due to stomach upset. The eczema is only around his mouth. It does not go away even with cortisone. We have been gluten free for about 2 months. The doctor would like us to reintroduce gluten prior to the specialist appointment in January so that the blood work can be accurate. In the meantime, I was wondering if I could just test him myself with iodine? If the test is positive, then I may choose not to reintroduce the gluten, and instead request a skin biopsy.

Has anyone ever tried self testing with iodine? What is the procedure? Is it safe?

Any advice is apprecaited.

Thanks

Barb

[darlindeb25]

I'm not sure why you would think testing for iodine deficiency would mean your child has celiac disease. I thought that test was for hypothyrodism. I don't know if it's a safe test for a child. You dab a 2" circle of iodine on soft skin, such as the inside of your leg, or your upper arm, and if the iodine is absorbed in less then an hour, then you are iodine deficient. Some doctors do not believe this is a true test though. Iodine always disappears quickly on me, but they say there is no problem with my thyroid, and I have double DQ1 genes, so some doctors do not believe I am celiac either.

I truly do not think this test will help you. Sorry.

[BarbaQ]

Hello again

My understanding is that testing with iodine causes a DH blister to form. This is done so that doctors can bring on a blister when looking to take a biopsy. If the blister forms, then more than likely, it is DH. Do I have this all wrong?

Maybe I'm jumping the gun. I am assuming that the blood and small intestine biopsy will be negative given my son's young age (22 months) and this being his only symptom. (blisters on the face / eczema). I have read that it is more likely for people with DH to have negative blood and biopsy results.

Thanks. Any advice? Anyone ever try this?

Barb

[Tara Lynn]

I don't know about the iodine test, but I know it took more than 2 months of being gluten-free before my rash completely went away. I found that I was inadvertently eating things that were processed in contaminated facilities and had to eliminate those. I also had to get very nitpicky about avoiding possible cross-contamination on things like countertops and peanut butter jars. But after about 4 months, my rash (which I'd had for THIRTEEN years and which had also been misdiagnosed as eczema) finally disappeared. It has stayed gone as long as I stay off gluten.

[ravenwoodglass]

Hello again

My understanding is that testing with iodine causes a DH blister to form. This is done so that doctors can bring on a blister when looking to take a biopsy. If the blister forms, then more than likely, it is DH. Do I have this all wrong?

Maybe I'm jumping the gun. I am assuming that the blood and small intestine biopsy will be negative given my son's young age (22 months) and this being his only symptom. (blisters on the face / eczema). I have read that it is more likely for people with DH to have negative blood and biopsy results.

Thanks. Any advice? Anyone ever try this?

Barb

Your right if he has DH. There are many skin problems associated with celiac that aren't. The fact that his skin issues have resolved is significant whether it is DH or another issue. You are right to be concerned about a false negative on a child his age. They are even more common than with adults.

The truest test for the need of the diet is the diet itself. I do understand your wanting a doctor verified diagnosis on a child as young as he is, it makes things easier in school. Did your doctor make note that his skin issues cleared? Could he also note that they came back when gluten was introduced? Some doctors will give a diagnosis of gluten intolerance with dietary response and that should be enough to satisfy 'proof' for schools and day care.