Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Could My 5 Year Old Be Suffering From Celiac/gluten Intolerance?

Neali

By Neali
in Doctors

Recommended Posts

Neali Rookie
Neali
Posted

We recently moved over (to Canada) from UK, we are currently without a family doctor, and for what is from UK, well... Here is the situation:

my daughter is now 5 year old, she has been diagnosed with having eczema since she was 18 months, but was born with very dry skin, a beautiful big baby, healthy that no one worried about. at 9 months I introduced her to a piece of croissant and she vomited it (I was really concerned, "lol" but our doctor really took me for a neurotic mum!). She never really took on eating foods that were "starchy" like pasta or bread, and I had to really encourage her (force her - because she kept waking me up so much at night for milk, and I wanted her to eat more food that would sustain her growth) and then, looking back that is when it all started, but I couldn't realize it at the time.

She has been complaining from tummy aches often, nausea, often displaying tonsillitis symptoms (which our doctors were not interested in), her stools have been often very runny and quite pale(this was difficult for me to realize it was maybe abnormal because I have breastfed her and health visitors told me it was normal, and I felt bad worrying about it) but hadn't had a chance to discuss it with any of our family doctors.

Her eczema has been on and off, coming worst at times, (initially I thought in April, but it became more year round), and since last November (since we moved) it is really bad, non stop all inside her arms, and in her neck... All her face (around her eyes, behind her ears) is displaying dry skin, and she had bad eczema around her mouth.

Her attitude has become again more difficult, she can sometimes be very active and sometimes very opposite with lots of complaining, very clingy again (but again I thought we moved from far, and she is growing up etc...)

I think since we moved we have been eating and maybe her especially more gluten containing food (biscuits, sandwiches, pastas...)

However, for the last 3 days I have stopped giving her foods containing flour, as it is also easier with summer: eating more fruits etc... and also tried a few gluten free substitutes, and I (am almost scared to admit it) have noticed a GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN HER ECZEMA, it is not red anymore! the skin is still very dry but it seems HEALING...

I am quite worried about the process of having it diagnosed - what does it involve?

I am worried about her, if it is celiac disease, and what she must have been suffering inside, how damaged she could be, she is bright, and happy lively little girl, it is a pity to see her suffering from eczema (I forgot to mention we have been using "eczema friendly" products since its apparition).

Also her grand-mother has crohn's disease... could it be as a result of celiac disease?

Are there some risks to start a gluten free diet?

Can celiac disease become suddenly lethal? (like in creating anaphalytic shock?)

Anything else I should consider?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


buffettbride Enthusiast
buffettbride
Posted

Your daughter's symptoms are definitely consistent with Celiac, but it's worth taking her to a pediatric GI doctor for a thorough review of the symptoms. The doctor will probably suggest a blood panel and possibly an endoscopy to check for Celiac or other issues.

If your child does have Celiac, you don't have to worry about it escalating to something anaphylactic--but you do have to worry about malnutrition, weight loss, and her growth being inhibited.

Nothing bad will happen if you take gluten out of her diet on your own, but it is generally advisable to see a doctor first. Once a person with Celiac is off gluten for too long, the tests aren't very reliable. Also know that tests can be unreliable in children anyway. Many parents here have decided, even with a negative diagnosis, that gluten is not something they want to feed their kids, especially after many exhausting attempts at diagnosis through normal channels. There's nothing wrong with that, either.

I feel lucky because our ped. GI doctor is FANTASTIC.

Neali Rookie
Neali
Posted
  • Author

Thank you buffettbride, I have just read a bit about endoscopy...

So children are "put to sleep" for this, is it usually done by an oral medication? or injected?

Also, the "blood panel"... how is this test performed?

(I think my little girl would have difficulties with "facing" needles...)

If the tests are indecisive in children, from what age do they seem to appear reliable?

To be honest I do not feel near taking her through all of this anytime soon, but definitely if in the next 2 - 3 weeks of trial going gluten free, if I see that eczema and tummy problems have gone, I will have to see a doctor to see what they advise/think of it.

I also was thinking at the end of the trial going gluten free, to add a "testing" period by re-introducing gluten at a "normal" rate.

A question that is maybe a bit more under the heading of this part of the forum:

Do naturopath deal with this problem? (We had many issues with traditional medecine now - although I keep a geat respect I think a different approach might be more suited to my family).

scarlett77 Apprentice
scarlett77
Posted

My son was under 2 years when he went through the blood panels and endoscopy to diagnose. From what I recall for the endoscopy he was given an oral medication to make him a bit drowsy/dopey and then they administered the general anesthetic. It was a very quick procedure and he was in recovery in about an hour or less. I can understand your hesitation with the procedure. It was difficult for me and my husband to put him through it. But it was necessary. Having the diagnosis and monitoring levels is a major part of keeping a Celiac healthy. Having the diagnosis will give me the support I will need when he is in school and I have to provide information and make special requests.

My son had a lot of blood work done, but that was mostly because we weren't sure what the problem was. His symptoms at the time were not exactly classic Celiac. It really shouldn't be any worse than a normal blood draw.

buffettbride Enthusiast
buffettbride
Posted

Sorry for the late response--yes, they are given general anesthesia. For my daughter's she was only "out" for about 20 minutes. We felt very comfortable with the process.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to Midwesteaglesfan's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Going for upper endoscopy today

      Hello @Midwesteaglesfan and welcome. A result greater than 10 U/mL is considered positive. Some labs use 15 as the cutoff, but 34 is in the positive. The endoscopy and biopsy is looking for damage to your small intestine. I don't don't think 5 days is enough to repair the damage. This comment is effectly your answer, regardless of your biopsy...
    2. Scott Adams
      0

      Gluten-Free Diet Burnout: Why It Happens and How to Get Your Motivation Back (+Video)

    3. Midwesteaglesfan
      - Midwesteaglesfan posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Going for upper endoscopy today

      At 41 years old I have been fighting fatigue and joint pain for a couple months. My family doctor kept saying nothing was wrong but I was insistent that I just didn’t feel right. Finally after running several blood labs, one came back showing inflammation in my body and I was referred to a rheumatologist. He was extremely thorough and sat with me and m...
    4. marlene333
      - marlene333 replied to Grace Good's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      3

      Bee balm lipbalm not gluten free

      To play it safe, use Vasoline Lip Therapy. No questions as to it containing gluten.
    5. Mari
      - Mari replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      Related issues

      jmartes, Thank you for sharing more information with us. Most of us Celiacs whose problems do not clear up with in a few years have to decide what to do next. We can keep seeing DR.s and hope that we will get some medication or advice that will improve our health. Or we can go looking for other ways to improve our health. Usually Celiac Disease is...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,267
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristine Ryder
    Newest Member
    Kristine Ryder
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Going for upper endoscopy today

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Hello @Midwesteaglesfan and welcome. A result greater than 10 U/mL is considered positive. Some labs use 15 as the cutoff, but 34 is in the positive.  The endoscopy and biopsy is looking for damage to your small intestine.  I don't don't think 5 days is enough to repair the damage. This comment is effectly your answer, regardless of your biopsy results.  The endoscopy has been the Gold Standard diagnostic, and most healthcare providers won't diagnose celiac disease until your intestinal lining Marsh Score reaches stage 3. You don't really want to wait for the damage to get worse, especially since only five days mostly gluten free gave you relief.  Yes, migranes is one of the 200 symptoms that may be caused by Celiac Disease. Malabsorption Syndrome is often comorbid with celiac disease.  The western diet is deficient in many vitamins and minerals.  That's why gluten processed foods are fortified.  Gluten free processed foods are not; Vitamin D deficiency is a virtual given.  40 to 60% of the industrial population is deficient in vitamin D, Damage to the intestinal lining from celiac disease can decrease the number of vitamin D receptors.  So now you get no vitamin D from the sun (skin cancer scare) the major source of vitamin D, plus absorbtion from food is poor because of intestinal damage.   Low iodine intake is getting more of a concern because the major source of iodine used to be bread (dough conditioner with iodine was stopped in the US in the 1970s), dairy (lactose intolerance from eating quick pickles with vinegar instead of fermented pickles which supply lactase excreting lactobacillus to improve Lactose intolerance. Commercial Dairies have wheat, barley and rye added to the cow feed. Some say they are sensitive to milk protein, but it is the gluten added to supplement the cow feed to increase milk production that becomes part of the milk protein causing the problem.  And people use less iodized salt.  In the US intake of iodine dropped 50% from 1970 to 1984. Switch to Grass fed only milk and consider supplementing Liquid Iodine drops to your diet.  The omega 6 to omega 3 ratio of commercial milk is 5:1; Organic milk is 3:1 and grass fed milk is 1:1. The typical western diet is around 14:1, optimum for humans is 1:1.  Wheat flour is 22:1 omega 6:3.  Choose vegetables lower in omega 6, it is inflammatory.                               Eat fermented foods and switch to Grass fed only milk.  Some say they are sensitive to milk protein, but it is the gluten added to supplement the cow feed to increase milk production that becomes part of the milk protein.   
    • Midwesteaglesfan
      Going for upper endoscopy today

      By Midwesteaglesfan · Posted

      At 41 years old I have been fighting fatigue and joint pain for a couple months.  My family doctor kept saying nothing was wrong but I was insistent that I just didn’t feel right.  Finally after running several blood labs, one came back showing inflammation in my body and I was referred to a rheumatologist.  He was extremely thorough and sat with me and my family for a good hour asking questions and listening. He ordered X-rays of all my joints and more bloodwork.  He suspected some sort of reactive inflammatory arthritis.  My TTG (Tissue Transglutaminase) came back at 34. he told me to try going gluten free and out me on Salfasalzin to help the join inflammation.  Over the next couple days going gluten free and doing a lot of research and talking to people with celiacs,  we found that I should have an upper endoscopy for insurance purposes in the future.  I reached back out to my rheumatologist and expressed this concern and he got back to me stating I was correct and resume regular gluten diet and stop the medication until after that scope.     They were able to schedule me in for 2 days later.  I had been gluten free, or as close to it as I could be for about 5 days.  I know I ate some brats with it but wanted to use them up.  My symptoms had gotten slightly better in those 5 days.  I felt less fatigue and joint pain was slightly better(it had gotten really bad) so for these last 2 days I’ve gone crazy with wheat bread, pasta and such.  I’m hoping those 5 days didn’t screw this endoscopy up.  I can’t imagine after a life of gluten, my intestines healed in 5 days and after eating gluten again for these couple days,  my stomach hurts, joint pain is coming back up so I know the inflammation is there.   Hinesight after this diagnosis, I have had chronic migraines since my late teens.  Has that been a lingering symptom of celiacs all these years?  I’ve never really had the stomach issues, for me it came in heavy these last couple months as the fatigue, just always feeling tired and exhausted.  And the joint pain.     So getting in the car for the 2 hour drive to the hospital for this scope now.     Wish me luck!
    • marlene333
      Bee balm lipbalm not gluten free

      By marlene333 · Posted

      To play it safe, use Vasoline Lip Therapy. No questions as to it containing gluten.
    • Mari
      Related issues

      By Mari · Posted

      jmartes, Thank you for sharing  more information with us. Most of us Celiacs whose problems do not clear up with in a few years have to decide what to do next. We can keep seeing DR.s and hope that we will get some  medication or advice that will improve our health. Or we can go looking for other ways to improve our health. Usually Celiac Disease is not a killer disease, it is a disabling disease as  you have found out. You have time to find some ways to help you recover. Stay on your gluten-free diet and be more careful in avoiding cross contamination . KnittyKitty  and others here can give you advice about avoiding some foods that can give you the gluten auto immune reaction and advice about vitamins and supplement that help celiacs. You may need to take higher doses of Vit. B12  and D3.  About 20 years before a Dr. suggested I might have Celiac disease I had health problems that all other Dr said they could not identify or treat. I was very opposed to alternative providers and treatments. So many people were getting help from a local healer I decided to try that out. It was a little helpful but then, because I had a good education in medical laboraties she gave me a book  to read and what did I think. With great skeptism I started reading and before I was half way through it I began using the methods outlined in the book. Using those herbs and supplements I went from hardly able to work to being able to work almost fulltime. I still use that program. But because I had undiagnosed celiac disease by 10 years later some  of my problems returned and I started to loose weight.    So how does a person find a program that will benefit them? Among the programs you can find online there are many that are snake oil scams and some that will be beneficial. by asking around, as I did. Is there an ND in your area? Do they reccomend that person? If you would like to read about the program I use go to www.drclark.net   
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's unfortunate that they won't work with you on this, but in the end sometimes we have to take charge of our own health--which is exactly what happened to me. I did finally get the tests done, but only after years of going down various rabbit holes and suffering. Just quitting gluten may be the best path for you at this point.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.