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Celiac suspected in daughter


Jmun5

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Jmun5 Apprentice

My daughter recently had a food sensitivity test and the food didn’t react to the IgA, so now she is having her IgA levels tested. They suspect the levels are low and that she might have celiac. She also has severe reflux, eczema, fatigue that has gotten much worse the past few months, stomach pain, and anxiety, lactose intolerant. Could there be something else going on with these symptoms and low IgA, or does celiac seem likely? I should add that the wholistic doctor said she’s never seen results like this on the food sensitivity test and she called the lab to confirm. Makes me a little nervous that she doesn’t have experience. 


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cyclinglady Grand Master
14 minutes ago, Jmun5 said:

My daughter recently had a food sensitivity test and the food didn’t react to the IgA, so now she is having her IgA levels tested. They suspect the levels are low and that she might have celiac. She also has severe reflux, eczema, fatigue that has gotten much worse the past few months, stomach pain, and anxiety, lactose intolerant. Could there be something else going on with these symptoms and low IgA, or does celiac seem likely? I should add that the wholistic doctor said she’s never seen results like this on the food sensitivity test and she called the lab to confirm. Makes me a little nervous that she doesn’t have experience. 

The only way to know for sure is to get her screened for celiac disease.  These are the tests and any MD can order them:

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Immunoglobulin A (IgA) should also be ordered, especially if an IgA deficiency is suspected.  In celiac disease testing, it is primarily used as a control test to validate any IgA type tests.  Your doctor can run all the celiac tests which include IgG versions as well.  You did not say how old your daughter is, but getting the full panel may be necessary (I recommend it).    The TTG is very good but does not catch all celiacs (like me) and more commonly small children.  The DGP is thought to catch younger celiacs.  If positive, you should be referred to a PED GI.  Do not let her go gluten free until all testing is done.  Getting a proper diagnosis will be helpful when she is at a school —  even at the University level.  

If you research  food allergy IgG testing, you will see that is is a crap shoot.  Just 50% effective, if I recall.  Keeping a food journal can help identify intolerances.  But rule out celiac disease.  It may be the source of all her issues!  If she is uncomfortable, you can eliminate lactose as it does not affect celiac testing.  

I hope she feels better soon!  

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