Curious About Genetics

[jmrogers31]

In the research I have done about Celiac Disease it seems that it affects people of Northern European decent more frequently than others but not exclusively. My Dad's side of the family is Swedish and my Mom's side is Irish and they are both northern European countries. I have had genetic testing and it came back with HLA-DQ 2,3 (Subtype 2,8) which seems to be the main genes associated with Celiac and said both my parents passed the gene to me so I have two copies of each. My question is that do most of you have northern European ancestry or is that kind of a myth. Most of my wife's ancestors are from the Czech Republic which isn't as far north and she has no issues. So, Celiacs what is your ancestry? Are most of you from northern Europe or is that kind of a myth. I am curious to see where these genes come from.

[kareng]

You might find this older thread interesting:

They way people come & go on here, you should get some new entries.

[jmrogers31]

Thanks Karen. I have been on this site for a year but missed this one. I thought it wasn an interesting thought, but I guess with all the forums and all the people on this site it doesn't surprise me this has been covered already. It's like an episode of South Park where every idea that they came up with has already been done on the Simpsons because after hundreds of episodes of the Simpsons almost everything has been covered.

[kareng]

Thanks Karen. I have been on this site for a year but missed this one. I thought it wasn an interesting thought, but I guess with all the forums and all the people on this site it doesn't surprise me this has been covered already. It's like an episode of South Park where every idea that they came up with has already been done on the Simpsons because after hundreds of episodes of the Simpsons almost everything has been covered.

But this place can be a revolving door. Maybe some who didn't post preciously would like to add on?

I saw something that said that the biggest group of Celiacs are from North African descent. It was a reputable source but, I can't find it again! Not sure even what they were counting as N. African descent.

[nvsmom]

I've heard that same thing about Northern European descent. it seems supported by that like kareng provided. Interesting...

I'm Canadian with a German and Ukranian/Polish background. My family all came over in the early 1900's. I haven't had genetic testing done but there is celiac on the Ukranian/Polish side of the family.

Nicole S

[mbrookes]

Scotch/Irish on both sides.don't know of anyone else that has Celiac in my family, but I strongly suspect that my Mom did from symptoms I remember.

[Victoria6102]

I'm French, Italian, greek, and Scandinavian. I have heard from many people and sources that its most common in Europeans!

[Adalaide]

German/Irish here. Family history suggests my ancestors moved from somewhere in Scandinavia to Germany before coming to America although we haven't been able to confirm that for certain.

[nora-n]

Recently they discovered that in parts of northern Aftica, up to 7-8% have celiac, and in the mediterranian countries 1% or more, and in India and Iran also.

Just that they do not get tested because doctors only suspect celiac with northern Europeans.

By the way, there is much celiac in Austria, which is not northern european.

[MitziG]

Scottish and Irish on my mom's side (she also has Celiac) English and Native American on Dad's side (he probably has celiac, at least is gluten intolerant- never tested)

[jmrogers31]

Interesting to see everything from Native American to Northern Africa to Ukraine. I guess by this time most of us have had a variety of different nationalities mixed into our genes.

[LauraB0927]

I'm 50% Polish (mom's side) and the rest Irish/German/Scottish (dad)....have no idea what side it came from, as it doesnt seem like anyone in my family has Celiac but me.