Celiac, Genetic Or Bacterial

[junevarn]

Hi all,

I haven't written in a while since I have been going to a new doctor who validates my gluten intolerance. I was diagnosed with three infections, received medications and am on the mend.

I was on another support site at the yeast connection and a person there didn't believe that this is a genetic disorder. She thinks that it is caused by the wrong bacteria in the gut. There is an article on celiac.com that addresses this but its only one article. All of the information I have read says its genetic.

I said that its very important to be gluten free and she basically said that because I'm a nurse thats why I think its genetic.

I just want your input on this. Needless to say it upset me somewhat .I know that not everyone with the gene has intestinal damage but my understanding is that other immune diseases could manifest.

PLease let me know your thoughts and feelings on this subject. I think she said that she and her child had antibodies in the blood.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

June

[KaitiUSA]

It's a genetic autoimmune disorder and requires a life long gluten free diet to control it.

Some people with the gene do not have the celiac activated but they still have predisposition to it.

Celiac can be activated by things such as childbirth, viral & bacterial infections, surgery, stress, etc.

[Carriefaith]

Where does she get her info? Unless she can back up her statements with scientific proof ie. scientific journal articles or credible websites... then I wouldn't believe her statements.

Here are a few good articles that say that celiac is genetic:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

[tarnalberry]

There may be other causes of intolerance to gluten than celiac disease, but the genetic cause of celiac disease, and the variation in the immune antibodies it produces, has been well researched. There's a reason there's a genetic test for it.

[junevarn]

Thank you. I knew I was right. If someone has positive antibodies in the blood thats a conclusive test for celiac, right?

June

[KaitiUSA]

Depending which tests were done(some are more specific and reliable than others) but yes

[Carriefaith]

The tissue transglutamase test is highly specific for celiac disease.

[junevarn]

Thank you so much for answering my questions!! I have one of the main genes for celiac so I'm staying away from gluten no matter what anyone says! I don't want to run into more problems in the future.

Thanks,I just needed some validation. Sometimes its hard out here. Its hard enough to deal with this problem ,never mind people who challenge you.

Sincerely,

June

[Carriefaith]

Its hard enough to deal with this problem ,never mind people who challenge you.

Yea... it's usually not worth arguing with people about stuff like that, there's not much you can do to change people's minds sometimes. Even when there is evidence that you are right. Oh well that's life

[nannyb]

Hope this is not too late to chime in to the discussion. I think your informant was only partially correct. Of course celiac is genetic. Yeast intolerance is I believe genetic as well. (or at least the propensity toward it) From what I have read in some people the candida reaction often comes first before the celiac is triggered. The wrong bacteria in the gut sets off the reaction that ends in a celiac state.

I know that is what happened to me. I have been yeast intolerant for 20 + years, then diagnosed with Colitis six years ago and the yeast intolerance problem normalized somewhat. The timing of the two events was too coincidental to not be related. I think that the celiac was triggered at that time.

After all they are all autoimmune disorders of the gut. Why would anyone say they couldn't be related. When the body misfunctions in one manner it certainly can in another.