Daughter With Celiac

[daugherw/celiackidstoo?]

Hi,

We're really new to Celiac. My daughter, who is 13, has it, and I decided to have my other children tested. They had blood tests and

everything seems normal. (Though my 8 year old son was recently diagnosed with ADD, so I have my suspicions.)

I'd like to know if it's a good idea to go through Enterolab testing in order to rule out future problems.

Thanks for any advice!

[T.H.]

My own decision was to eschew formal testing after the first negative test and simply try a gluten free diet. My 12 year old was diagnosed last year, and my 8 year old came back negative. I had my suspicions about my 8 year old, though. He improved significantly on the gluten-free diet, so we're keeping him there. I don't know if it's celiac Disease or just an issue with gluten, but I'm okay with not knowing as long as he's better.

Myself and my daughter are both gluten-free, anyway, so he's definitely not alone. :-) (speaking of, have you and your husband been tested as well?)

I figure when he's older, we'll save up and get him tested for the celiac gene, just for when he has kids, or if he feels the need to know the likelihood that he has celiac disease vs. just a gluten issue.

[Skylark]

Enterolab doesn't "rule out" anything! People can have celiac with "non-celiac" genes, and not having antibodies is no guarantee they won't appear in the future. Enterolab might pick up some antibodies now, but it's not entirely clear what the stool antibodies mean anyway. Best thing to do is try the diet with your son and see if it helps his ADD, and watch your other kids for signs of any issues and have them re-tested if they start having symptoms.

[lovegrov]

Entrolab would be a waste of your money. As noted by Skylark, you'd still know nothing for certain.

richard

[daugherw/celiackidstoo?]

Thanks to all of you for your help and advice!

I'm gluten free at home, and now need to talk to the kids about abstaining from yummy free hot lunches at school...

I'm not sure they'll be too happy about that, but the long-term benefits definitely seem worth it!

Again, thanks so much for your time and help!