Should We Have Mass Screening for Celiac Disease?

I've heard that all Italian school children are screened before starting schools, and that Italy is one of the easiest places to travel on a gluten-free diet. I'm all for it.

Something to seriously consider as perhaps this will make McDonald's recognize that multiple issues over a lifetime related to inflammatory issues, infections, autoimmune disorders, bowel issues (sometimes), and even cancers can signal celiac disease. For those diagnosed after decades of inexplicable issues for themselves and family members, it is truly an "ah hah" moment as it has been for me. Locally, in MA there are towns health departments offering screening. Once again, the doctors need to know the proper two key tests and how to interpret these in light of someone with a longstanding unidentified diagnosis and then the alternate new test to do if there Total IgA is suppressed such that the tTG-IgA is falsely negative because of IgA deficiency. Genetic screening is often not even considered by most docs due to the cost, and the new anti-DGP is also considered costly.

Should mass screening be done with school age children? I think the question is that children should be screened for celiac disease BEFORE they start school. The disruption that celiac disease causes to physical health is distracting enough. My grandson, age 10, was just diagnosed with celiac disease (by blood work; endoscopy to follow). My daughter who is a celiac had to fight with his pediatrician to test for celiac disease despite the fact that he has been suffering with the common symptoms for the last two years. It was only when the blood work came back positive did this doctor grudgingly agree to further test him. I can't help but wonder that if there had been testing provided by the school district, would have spared him from further damage that he is suffering now and aggravation my daughter went through convincing a doctor that something was wrong.

Side Note: Celiac disease is rampant in my family. It may have caused the death of my sister (lymphoma) in 1990 from not being diagnosed with celiac disease. I was diagnosed in 2004. My daughter was diagnosed in 2006. My brother may have it but refused to be tested and instead has gone gluten free. He is a lot better. Granted research has chased down genetic factors that can be tested through an initial blood work. When I was growing up, I remember all children having to have all kinds of testing done and getting shots before we could go to school. So why not do the same for celiac disease by requiring that initial blood test with parents permission of course. That would be my one wish down the road. During these times when school districts are laying off teachers and closing down schools right and left, that kind of testing would be impossible. But maybe down the road...