Need Opinion On My Daughter

[scaredparent]

Hi I have a son who is 23 mo old and has been gluten-free since Febuary and is do well. We have not seen much weight gain but he doesn't have diahrea any more . My son had a postiive dietary change and negeitive test results on blood and biopsy. ( I think because he was to young for postitive result).

Here is my problem. I have 5 children and child number 2 and 5 are sick all the time. Number 5 is Braunson the 23 mo old and Brittani is number 2 and she is 7. She has a lot of medical problems like constipated all the time she can be on laxitive 3 times a day with no results. She gets sinus imfections all the time. She was dx with a immudificency problem at the age of 2. She has had 14 surgeries and close to 50 iv's for medications 3 picc line and 2 portacathiders. And to make a long story short she has had Igg panels ran at the age of 2 and I got a hold of them the other day and found out that she had an abnormal IgA level. It was not realllly bad but a bit abnormal.

Is one of the test for celiac disease the IgA test? If so what number indicates celiac disease? Did any one else of trouble with sinus infections and constipation and then get dx with celiac disease? I am debating on putting her through the biopsy and the rest of the blood work. She often looks bloated and pregant. She has never been under wieght. She weight 83 lbs and is 54 in tall and will be 8 in August. But she was anemic at age 1. Can celiac disease run from one extreme to the other in the same family? Any opinion on what I should do? Any ones opinion is welcomed and appeciated? Sorry for the long questions ? Thanks for the help in advance

[KaitiUSA]

I sent you a PM in regards to your question you had for me. I tried to respond to the email but it said something about your email address being down and sent it right back so I used the PM..hope you got it

Anyways, yes it sure can be in families like that.

The full panel of celiac disease is the following:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Total Serum IgA

The tTG and EMA are very specific for celiac. If she did not have these done then she should. A false reading on these are very slim to none chance. She should be continuing a gluten filled diet until after testing though.

When you have antibodies on the regular IgA this means your body is having some reaction to gluten so in my opinion it should be investigated further.

Constipation is a very common symptom in celiac actually. I had it before diagnosis. Some doctors seem to think if you don't have diarrhea or certain symptoms then you don't have it but that is completely false.

Also, her being anemic is another big sign. Anemia is also a symptom of celiac.

Hope this helps a bit and let me know if I can help you out.

[Boojca]

My son is 3, he was diagnosed a year ago exactly (endoscopy anniversary was yesterday, actually) at age 2 1/2. Definitely have your other children tested. It sounds like celiac disease to me, and I have yet to hear anyone who has the exact same symptoms...and some don't ever have ANY symptoms.

It can't hurt to get them tested, but it sure could hurt not to!

Bridget

[VydorScope]

The way I see it, since this is a gentic thing, If anyone one person inyour direct blood line has celiac disease, you all should be tested.

[lbsteenwyk]

Your older child's symptoms sound exactly like celiac disease to me. One of my daughter's symptoms was SEVERE constipation. I would instist that your pediatrician to a complete celiac panel on her.

Regarding your younger child, be aware that the weight gain can come slowly. My daughter started on a gluten-free diet at 26 months and it took about 6 months to see significant weight gain.

[Guest Lucy]

My son had NO symptoms. He was diagnosed at 2.5. The only reason he was screened was because his Endocronologist ran it as standered procedure for all type 1 diabetics.

One thing I have found is that some people with celiac also have intestinal yeast. This can act like gluten. For your son, maybe see if you can get him and the rest of your kids on acidophylos. I don't know if I spelled that right. It will clear up a yeast problem, and then you should see improvement on the gluten free diet.

[pwalasik]

My 2nd child, as well as other people who have Celiac Disease, present with constipation versus diarehea. My 1st child had diarehea, so yes the symptoms can be very different from child to child. Good luck, my thought is that all family members should be tested and genetic testing is a good option too.