Celiac Panel W/limited Gluten Intake

[MNBeth]

Hi all,

My oldest son and I are gluten intolerant according to Enterolab and dietary response. (There are also numerous other celiac/g.i. extended family members.) We've kept a mostly gluten-free kitchen for more than a year.

Now my 10-year-old daughter is having inexplicable symptoms, and I've scheduled a celiac panel for her. The issue is that she doesn't eat much gluten. She normally eats gluten cereal for breakfast, but she's avoided it for a couple of days. That's the only gluten we keep in the house.

She had more gluten than usual over the weekend, and has had a rough couple of evenings. Yesterday she had a Subway sandwich. Today she hasn't had any gluten at all. (And, incidentally, she seems to be feeling fine.)

So the question is, will she be likely to get an accurate result with such sporadic gluten eating? She's never been completely gluten free, but there are often periods of days where she's not having any, just because of how we eat around here. Should I make her eat gluten cereal for breakfast? Would that make a difference? (She's having her blood drawn at 2 p.m.)

Thanks,

Beth

[CMG]

Just today, I discussed w/ my GI doc testing my 5 year old daughter, who is mostly gluten free. Basically, we are gluten free at home, and I let her eat any special treats at birthday parties and in her classroom. My doctor seems to think that this could be enough gluten to test a symptomatic child. He specified that we should use Prometheus labs for the most sensitive testing and we should get the genetic test done at the same time. He also implied that if her panel is negative and genetics are positive that we should seriously consider a gluten challenge because of how young she is. His concern was potential developmental issues from vitamin deficiencies in a child so young and having the diagnosis for appropriate follow up care.

Good luck!

[MNBeth]

Thanks for the information. I'm not sure I'll be able to control what lab they send the test out to, or even whether I can get them to do the gene test, but I'll give it a try.

[dilettantesteph]

My GI said 2 slices of bread a day for 2 weeks.