14 Year Old Diabetic Being Tested For Celiac Disease

[quadmom]

My 14 year old son has been a diabetic since he was 5 years old. I received a call from his endocronologist stating that he had to have his blood screened for celiac disease because in his yearly blood work his total Iga was low. He tested negative for Igg. He then was tested for genes DQ8 and DQ2. I found out today that he tested positive for DQ8 and negative for DQ2. He now has an appointment to see a pediatric gastro doctor. My son has no symptoms what so ever for this disease, and if he wasn't a diabetic he never would have been tested. He has a normal appetite and no upset stomach or bowels. I understand that to rule this disease out he will have to undergo a biopsy of his intestines. Can anyone tell me what you think the chances are that my son has this disease and if the biopsy will be a difficult procedure for my son. This is all new to me and I'm trying to understand all this terminology.

Thank You

[ravenwoodglass]

The biopsy process itself is easy. He will go in, they will give him something that will put him to sleep for a short time and then he will wake up 10 to 15 minutes later and go home and resume his day. Some people will have a slight sore throat but other than that most have no after effects from the procedure.

Noone can tell you for sure what his chances of a postive test are. There are times when celiac is 'silent' and people even with villli destruction will have no symptoms. But since he is having no tummy issues it is likely the test will be negative. Celiac can at times present in ways other than an upset tummy. Some of us will have effects on the joints and muscles, migraines, the nervous system and it can impact the brain causing depression anxiety and sometimes what we call brain fog which can impact learning. I am glad your doctor is on the ball and is testing him. In the event that he should be a silent celiac the diet will prevent more serious issues from appearing.

Do try not to worry and you have come to a great place for support and information. Please ask any questions you need to.

[quadmom]

Thank You Ravenwoodglass for your reply and support. You are a wealth of information.

[elye]

Welcome! You've come to the right place.

I have been type one for 36 years. Four years ago I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I had NO symptoms (what is termed "silent celiac") other than borderline low iron. It is quite remarkable that I was diagnosed at all, really. But thank goodness I was, because left untreated, this illness can cause various gastrointestinal cancers and other autoimmune illnesses.

The biopsy that I had after the positive blood panel did show some villous atrophy, but I had no outward signs of this -- no vitamin deficiencies, no intestinal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, etc. The proceedure itself was nothing.......I was sedated, a tube was sent down and I found it all rather relaxing and amusing (as I recall ), and I walked out twenty minutes later.

I knew nothing about celiac disease/gluten intolerance before my diagnosis, but now, after four years of serious reading and research, I consider myself fairly educated. This forum is fantastic for that!

Autoimmune diseases tend to cluster together. Many believe that celiac is the original "domino" that can start the chain reaction, that causes the initial antibody attacks. Perhaps the antigliadin antibodies, sent out to attack gluten, move over to the pancreas and destroy the beta cells, or move up to the brain and work on the myelin sheath (MS), or turn on the joint tissues and cause rheumatoid arthritis.

One in eight type one diabetics are also celiac/gluten inolerant, and this number is likely even higher as there are many undiagnosed celiacs out there. In many parts of Europe, all type ones are being routinely screended for celiac.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[quadmom]

Thanks elye. My son Ryan is a type one diabetic for almost 10 years and has been treated for almost 9 years for an underactive thyroid and takes synthroid. I understand like you said that Celiac is another auto immune disease, which puts him at a higher risk. Thanks for the support