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

Celiac, Anorexia, Or Both?


MomOfTwins98

Recommended Posts

MomOfTwins98 Newbie

I'm new to this forum. My 13-year old daughter was just recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Her blood test was showing the following results:

Celiac Disease Panel

Endomysial Antibody IgA --- Positive ----- Abnormal

t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA --- 20 ---------- High

Then, she had the Small Intensine Biopsy done. The Pathology Report has the following note: "The findings are mild, focal and non-specific. Possible etiologies include celiac disease as well as other immune-mediated processes, infection, peptic injury and medications. However, in the appropriate clinical setting, with appropriate serologic findings, these factors are compatible with celiac disease"

Do the above results indicate celiac beyond any doubt? The words "mild, focal and non-specific" are confusing to me...

My D was diagnosed with Anorexia in the beginning of November. She had a lot of classic signs of anorexia (big weight loss, preoccupation with fat content of food, excessive exercise). Once diagnosed with AN, we started refeeding at home using a Maudsley approach. She started eating normally with no problems at all (same amounts as prior to getting sick). Then, as we started increasing the number of calories, she still wasn't gaining any weight. Last week, she started a day program for eating disorders (lost more weight in the preparation for colonoscopy/endoscopy testing), and it became very clear to me that she doesn't quite belong there - unlike other girls, she doesn't have distorted body image, she is eating quite a lot (but refusing some type of foods), not really depressed. Sometime during the process, the pediatrician ordered the above blood test, and based on abnormal results, we met with a GI doctor who later performed the biopsy. Few days ago we received the results of the biopsy, based on which it was concluded that she does have celiac disease. We started the gluten-free diet 2 days ago. Now, I can't stop wondering whether she has anorexia, and if so, will the gluten free diet be helpful with the weight gain. Anyone encountered similar scenerio?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



domesticactivist Collaborator

Those results would have me convinced it's celiac. There are a few other things that can bring up tTG, but it's not common. EMA is highly specific to celiac disease. If she's going to have the endoscopy as well make sure it happens right away or she stays on gluten until it is done.

People thought my daughter had anorexia, but it turned out she just needed the GAPS diet to get her eating again. She used to be so picky (and hated fat, loved sugar!), but the dietary changes helped her sensory processing issues and made a *huge* difference. Now she loves to eat.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,597
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Angel1009
    Newest Member
    Angel1009
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Yes.  Now, if you hit your finger with a hammer once, wouldn't you do your best not to do it again?  You have identified a direct connection between gluten and pain.  Gluten is your hammer.  Now you have to decide if you need a medical diagnosis.  Some countries have aid benefits tgat you can get if you have the diagnosis, but you must continue eating a gluten-normal diet while pursuing the diagnosis. Otherwise the only reason to continue eating gluten is social. There are over 200 symptoms that could be a result of celiac disease.. Celiac Disease and Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity  both cause multiple vitamin and mineral deficiency.  Dealing with that should help your recovery, even while eating gluten.  Phosphatidyl Choline supplements can help your gut if digesting fats is a problem,  Consider that any medications you take could be causing some of the symptoms, aside from gluten.        
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Ben98! If you have been consciously or unconsciously avoiding gluten because of the discomfort it produces then it is likely that your blood antibody testing for celiac disease has been rendered invalid. Valid testing requires regular consumption of generous amounts of gluten. The other strong possibility is that you have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease but does not have the autoimmune component and thus does not damage the small bowel lining. It is 10x mor common than celiac disease. There is currently no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out. Some experts in the field believe it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Having one or both of the primary genes for developing celiac disease does not imply that you will develop active celiac disease. It simply establishes the potential for it. About 40% of the population has the genetic potential but only about 1% develop active celiac disease. 
    • Ben98
      TTG blood test and total IGA tested on many occasions which have always remained normal, upper GI pain under my ribs since 2022. I had an endoscopy in 2023 which showed moderate gastritis. no biopsy’s were taken unfortunately. genetic test was positive for HLADQ2. extreme bloating after eating gluten, it’ll feel like I’ve got bricks in my stomach so uncomfortably full. the pain is like a dull ache under the upper left almost like a stitch feeling after a long walk. I am just wanting some advice has anyone here experienced gastritis with a gluten issue before? thank you  
    • Wheatwacked
      "Conclusions: The urinary iodine level was significantly lower in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, and iodine replacement may be important in preventing osteoporosis"  Body iodine status in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis Low iodine can cause thyroid problems, but Iodine deficiency will not show up in thyroid tests.  Iodine is important for healing, its job is to kill off defective and aging cells (Apoptosis). Skin, brain fog, nails, muscle tone all inproved when I started taking 600 mcg (RDA 150 - 1000 mcg) of Liquid Iodine drops. Some with dermatitis herpetiformis, Iodine exacerbates the rash.  I started at 1 drop (50 mcg) and worked up to 12 drops, but I don't have dermatitis herpetiformis.
    • cristiana
      That's great news, you can do this.  Let us know how things go and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions. Cristiana 😊
×
×
  • 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.