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I'm + Celiac...best Way To Test My Children?

traciknop

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traciknop Rookie
traciknop
Posted

I tested + for Celiac, blood work and + biopsy from ENDO, 4 months ago. I am new to this forum :) I am overwhelmed and not sure the best way to proceed with my 2 children: ages 13 and 10.

I was diagnosed after 6 years of Iron Deficiency Anemia: and severe bloating. I cannot grasp enough information from my kids on their GI symptoms either way... Should I start with drawing Celiac Panels on them?

I REALLY don't want to go gluten-free on them unless there is a need obviously...

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Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Hi and welcome to the forum. Yes, start with celiac panels on the kids. They are at increased risk for celiac since you have it.

TravelnVal Newbie
TravelnVal
Posted

I am new to both the celiac and the forum. From what I have been reading, just like the other response replied, they are at a higher risk and a dna test should confirm, would double check with doctors. I found some really good info on the University of Chicago 's site. Free gift baskets if diagnosed within the last 12 months.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

Definately start with the blood testing. Tests include:

total IgA

IgA/IgG tTG(tissue transglutaminase)

IgA/IgG DGP(deamidated gliadin peptide)

IgA EMA(endomysial antibody)

If any are positive you may want to get more testing done such as a scope/biopsy. If they are negative on blood work and are not symptomatic then perdiocally have them tested or retested if they show any signs. Even if they ever have symptoms that could suggest a gluten problem or celiac and their testing is negative, the negative testing doesn't guarantee that gluten isn't a problem. Blood work has a much higher false negative rate in children.

Both my kids were negative on their blood work after my diagnosis. My youngest son two years and new symptoms later, had positive bloodwork. In hindsite I believe he had celiac as a baby. Oldest son has had negative blood work every year since my diagnosis. What finaly got me going to try gluten free for him was his brother's diagnosis and all the positive changes he had going off of gluten. I had him scoped just in case he was negative on blood work but positive on biopsy. Well, his biopsy was negative too, but we decided to trial him based on his symptoms of stalled growth and falling down on the growth curve, chronic constipation/bloating/gas/nausea and daily abdominal pain. He has improved so much that all of his symptoms are gone and he is gaining weight and growing. So despite all his testing being negative, gluten is still bad for him.

Ziva Newbie
Ziva
Posted

I am also newly diagnosed, this Jan. and testing was started because of Anemia. As we were going through testing for me, my husband is remembering he had to eat bananas and cottage cheese as a young kid. We had him tested last week and are waiting on the results. Either way he is going gluten free with me. The next step is to have our 2 college age daughters tested. As I read the information on Celiac Disease, I would say they have more symptoms than me. It is pretty scary what all can go wrong with eating gluten. Good luck.

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