Celiac question

[Ligeia]

Ok I know it's not an allergy but it is similar so here I am. I was diagnosed with celiacs (gluten intolerance) and now I don't know what to do about my children. I have a 2.5 yr old dd and a 5 month old ds. Just wondered if by chance someone on here has some experience. I haven't gotten a straight answer anywhere about whether or not I should test them for it or keep them gluten free even though they show no symptoms (ds is not eating solids yet anyway but as far as his sister's intake.) Has anyone else had to test their children for gluten issues/celiacs? When is an appropriate age for their immune systems to show signs?

[Village Mama]

OK. I have to put the disclaimer that I didn't test positive on my celiac blood panel. I had not been eating gluten for over a year and I didn't challenge the gluten for long enough for the test to be accurate. We do however have a very serious gluten sensitivity that appears to have some sort of genetic component to it( from my paternal line down through three generations and possibly four). We live as though we are celiac however because our reactions are so intense that we will not be undergoing the long term challenge nessessary in order for the biopsy to be accurate!

If your kiddos ( I guess the 5 month old isn't) are eating gluten containing foods there is the blood test available. Although it isn't always accurate it is much less invasive than anything else at this point. How is thier gut health otherwise? I discovered that my boys also have issues with gluten when I cut it out myself. Since I was the one cooking , all of the family was only getting gluten free food. Behavioral issues and gut health improved drastically. For us the symptoms showed more through behavior and sleep issues.
I think that there may be some sort of genetic testing as well. Have you contacted a local celiac foundation? Sometimes it helps to have some support in that way because I found that the hospital nutritionist had only the basic information. Often someone who has delt with it will have great resources and help the transition go smoother. Good luck!

[momofmine]

I personally would not give them gluten for a long time. You can get a stool test and DNA swab (that I think is like a swab inside the cheek) from EnteroLabs. You could maybe do that for your older child at least.

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by Ligeia

Ok I know it's not an allergy but it is similar so here I am. I was diagnosed with celiacs (gluten intolerance) and now I don't know what to do about my children. I have a 2.5 yr old dd and a 5 month old ds. Just wondered if by chance someone on here has some experience. I haven't gotten a straight answer anywhere about whether or not I should test them for it or keep them gluten free even though they show no symptoms (ds is not eating solids yet anyway but as far as his sister's intake.) Has anyone else had to test their children for gluten issues/celiacs? When is an appropriate age for their immune systems to show signs?

It depends on what you need to know. IF they are going to be eating gluten and you have been diagnosed with celiac disease (which is not a gluten intolerance, it is an autoimmune disease) I would have them tested. Enterolabs is also a good bet.

Many parents who have the gene or have been officially diagnosed just choose to keep the family off of it. In that case I'm not sure I'd be worried about testing. I would just avoid and go on my merry way. It's what I did for two of my kids (the other has CS.) Even if they dont' have it, they clearly have the gene so I am not all that interested in tempting fate, you know?

We did test (through blood, no biopsies here) and got positive results at 15 months. Good luck! I know it's not an easy transition, but this is a good place to seek support.