At What Age For Test?

[SharonF]

I have a four year old and an 18 month old, neither of whom have been tested. They also don't have any symptoms of celiac, at least not classically presenting symptoms. I suspect it's a bit early to test the baby, but is the 4 year old, old enough? And would I have her tested by the ped, or by a gastroenterologist? Is a tTG test enough?

I hope to heck she doesn't have it--I think the baby could adjust, since she's so little, but the 4 year old would have a very hard time with it.

[KaitiUSA]

4 is old enough to be tested. The tTG is a good test for celiac but I really recommend getting a full panel done.

[Lisa Ann]

I'm also curious about this. Do we have their pediatrician perform the test. What does a full panel involve? Is the ttg the blood draw? Is a blood test the only option we have?

[KaitiUSA]

This is the complete panel:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Total Serum IgA

These are all bloodtests

[Merika]

Your ped should be able to run the test. Really, anyone with blood drawing equipment can run it. Get the full (5 test with ttg) panel that Kaiti says.

It's simple, accurate, and does not require a lot of blood (5 tests sounds like a lot, but it's all run off the same small blood sample). Even I did it and it wasn't bad - and I'm a complete needle-phobe and usually get dizzy after blood draws, but it wasn't bad with this one

Merika