Testing A Three Year Old

[ligeia]

What is the most reliable test for a three year old? I was thinking probably a genetic screening would be the best bet but how much does it cost? Who does it? What do they look for? False positives or anything like that?

[leadmeastray88]

What is the most reliable test for a three year old? I was thinking probably a genetic screening would be the best bet but how much does it cost? Who does it? What do they look for? False positives or anything like that?

Genetic testing could be useful, however it is not diagnostic. It won't tell you if your child hs Celiac or if he/she will ever develop it...just if he/she is predisposed. Enterolab and Kimball Genetics both do screenings, not sure of the exact cost but I think Enterolab is around $100 and Kimball around $300.

How about bloodwork and/or biopsy? Does your child have symptoms?

[ligeia]

My child does display symptoms but I would like to know for sure. I would prefer to avoid a biopsy for her sake. If we did bloodwork would she have to be consuming gluten for it to show up? If a genetic test shows that she carries the gene isn't it safe to assume she would benefit from a gluten free diet?

[mamaw]

our grandson was 2 1/2 when he had an endo done.....Yes, she would need to be consuming gluten for the bloodwork to be accurate. Do you have her off of gluten already? Also rem,ember there are some that bloodwork, biospy, never show anything but when taken off gluten the person thrives. Latent celiac....I know a couple of children who did not have the typical reactions.........is she having intestinal issues or other issues? SHe may be gluten intolerant & not full blown celiac

hth mamaw

[ligeia]

She has been off of gluten for a few months now but has gotten it a few times accidentally here and there. The Enterolab site said that a person already off of gluten shouldn't go back on it for the testing but for someone so young maybe it would be a better idea? She's showing mostly behavioral symptoms. She acts majorly ADHD, she gets grouchy and tired quickly, her emotions seem to be a lot harder for her to keep ahold of and she complains that her stomach hurts after eating gluten.

[leadmeastray88]

If a genetic test shows that she carries the gene isn't it safe to assume she would benefit from a gluten free diet?

Not necessarily, having the gene doesn't mean you have it or will get it, just that you may be predisposed to it. Coincidentally, the Celiac genes are also amongst the most common in general - yet not everyone has Celiac.

You're correct, she has to be eating gluten for a very long time before testing. Has she shown any improvement from the diet this far?

As for your Enterolab question, they cannot diagnose Celiac. They can however tell you if your daughter has active dietary gluten sensitivity. There is a lot of speculation on this forum regarding the accuracy/validity of this testing.