Should I Get Them Tested?

[Carin3]

Hi-

A little background on me. I have hardly any of the GI symptoms of celiac but most of the non-GI symptoms of celiac. I used to poop like 4 or 5 times a day. They were normal but when I had to go I had to go(my youngest and my son seem to be that way-see below) I was diagnosed with Celiac about 2 months ago. My testing was done a little backwards. I had a endoscopy/colonoscopy done due to chronic anemia (and iron pills weren't helping). After the procedures the doc said everything looked great but when I went in for my follow up two weeks later they said the biopsy showed celiac. The GI doc wasn't convinced and did the celiac blood work and also sent my biopsy to be looked at by a doctor and Yale. Well my blood work came back negative but the doctor at Yale also said Celiac. I have three kids ages 3(girl),4(boy),6(girl). My 4 year old has had stomach problems since 15 months old-we took him to a pediatric GI for poor growth and general fussiness (I just knew something wasn't right). They did a endoscopy and found a large,nasty old stomach ulcer along with chronic esophagitis/reflux. They did do biopsies for celiac and they were negative. About a year later (he was still on ulcer and reflux meds due to complaints) he had another endoscopy that found a duodenol ulcer and duodenitis (while on meds). We continued with meds and got a second opinion. A couple months after that endoscopy they did another one which showed duodenitis. Since this summer he has been doing pretty good but over the last 2 months has started complaining of his belly (but not where you have ulcer pain), chest, and throat and the biggest problem is he is pooping in his underwear all the time (he is 4 1/2). Most of his endoscopies they did biopsy for celiac but I'm not sure about the one a year ago. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Also, my youngest seems to poop 2,3,4 times a day on the potty (she so reminds me of me preGF). How accurate are the blood test of children of this age? Is it worth getting them tested? Whats the chances of one of them having it? My poor son has been through so much all ready and I figured he didnt have it b/c I didn't think his issues were associated wit celiac but then I read some and just don't know. All this is soooo new to me and I am still learning. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated!!Thanks so much and sorry so long!

[karenhockley]

Hi-

A little background on me. I have hardly any of the GI symptoms of celiac but most of the non-GI symptoms of celiac. I used to poop like 4 or 5 times a day. They were normal but when I had to go I had to go(my youngest and my son seem to be that way-see below) I was diagnosed with Celiac about 2 months ago. My testing was done a little backwards. I had a endoscopy/colonoscopy done due to chronic anemia (and iron pills weren't helping). After the procedures the doc said everything looked great but when I went in for my follow up two weeks later they said the biopsy showed celiac. The GI doc wasn't convinced and did the celiac blood work and also sent my biopsy to be looked at by a doctor and Yale. Well my blood work came back negative but the doctor at Yale also said Celiac. I have three kids ages 3(girl),4(boy),6(girl). My 4 year old has had stomach problems since 15 months old-we took him to a pediatric GI for poor growth and general fussiness (I just knew something wasn't right). They did a endoscopy and found a large,nasty old stomach ulcer along with chronic esophagitis/reflux. They did do biopsies for celiac and they were negative. About a year later (he was still on ulcer and reflux meds due to complaints) he had another endoscopy that found a duodenol ulcer and duodenitis (while on meds). We continued with meds and got a second opinion. A couple months after that endoscopy they did another one which showed duodenitis. Since this summer he has been doing pretty good but over the last 2 months has started complaining of his belly (but not where you have ulcer pain), chest, and throat and the biggest problem is he is pooping in his underwear all the time (he is 4 1/2). Most of his endoscopies they did biopsy for celiac but I'm not sure about the one a year ago. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Also, my youngest seems to poop 2,3,4 times a day on the potty (she so reminds me of me preGF). How accurate are the blood test of children of this age? Is it worth getting them tested? Whats the chances of one of them having it? My poor son has been through so much all ready and I figured he didnt have it b/c I didn't think his issues were associated wit celiac but then I read some and just don't know. All this is soooo new to me and I am still learning. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated!!Thanks so much and sorry so long!

Because of your history and by the sound of the symptoms your children have I would go ahead and get the genetic testing done. Some insurance companies pay for it. Even if you decide to go with the blood test your children are old enough to get a correct diagnosis (unless on a gluten free diet) I believe if the child is under 2 you could get a false negative. But don't quote me on that. I have a friend who has Celiac as well and her son had stomach issues and she tested him and he was negative but she put him on the gluten-free diet and he's doing much better. Good luck, I hope you find your answers soon.