Celiac and Osteoporosis in Kids?

[napergirl66]

My 13 yr old recently got diagnosed with osteoporosis, based on a DXA scan. Her blood work was positive for Celiac and she had an endoscopy today, which the GI doc believes will confirm the diagnosis. He however, commented that he does not think the Celiac is causing the osteoporosis. She's not underweight, she is asymptomatic, she's growing normally. He's not second guessing that she has Celiac, he just doesn't think it is the cause of her osteoporosis. Has anyone had any experience with this? Her thyroid levels tested in the normal range. Any help?

[Altoma]

46 minutes ago, napergirl66 said:

My 13 yr old recently got diagnosed with osteoporosis, based on a DXA scan. Her blood work was positive for Celiac and she had an endoscopy today, which the GI doc believes will confirm the diagnosis. He however, commented that he does not think the Celiac is causing the osteoporosis. She's not underweight, she is asymptomatic, she's growing normally. He's not second guessing that she has Celiac, he just doesn't think it is the cause of her osteoporosis. Has anyone had any experience with this? Her thyroid levels tested in the normal range. Any help?

Celiac disease, if confirmed by biopsy, is the most likely cause of osteoporosis even if the patient does not have diarrhea. 

The risk of having osteoporosis correlates with the severity of small bowel histological change. Furthermore, the mechanism of osteoporosis relates to some inflammatory mediators causing depletion of bone calcium. 

See this: page 18 of : https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2050640619844125

Or

https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2050640619844125

 

 

[Ennis-TX]

Another correlation is celiacs have issues absorbing magnesium which directly correlates with calcium loss from bones and demineralization.  Along with the inability to utilize calcium. We also are prone to dental issues and bone breaks.   I have snapped a tooth in half before.

http://www.magnesiumoil.com/magnesium-health/calcium-osteoporosis

[cyclinglady]

I have osteoporosis and was diagnosed with celiac disease after the age of 50.  I had no GI symptoms, just anemia.  Within months of my celiac disease diagnosis, I fractured my back doing NOTHING!  That was how my osteoporosis diagnosis was caught.  I can tell you that I am normal size.  Not all celiacs are wasting away.  Some are overweight, tall .....whatever!  Your GI is basing this on old information.  

I also had two types of anemia.  One is genetic.  Despite being anemic my entire life, I still was very active.  Did century rides, triathlons, etc.  It is amazing how the body can adapt!  

Within months on a gluten-free diet, my iron deficiency anemia resolved.  Within a year, I was feeling pretty good.  I get DEXA scans every two years.  My first year, I opted to treat my osteoporosis with hormones.  Once I regained the ability to digest lactose, I consumed a diet full of dairy and leafy green veggies, etc.  At my age (past menopause), I am not going to rebuild bones like I did in my teens.  Your daughter, once gluten-free and healed from celiac disease, should recover.  My non-medical advice is to avoid processed foods especially bone-leaching ones like soda pop.  I encourage you to research this.  

Lin the meantime, have her exercise, but avoid things that could easily break bones.  I gave up skating and skiing for a while.  Back to skating now.  Love teaching the kids!  

https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/conditions-behaviors/celiac

I hope she feels better fast!  

[napergirl66]

Would it be strange though if her vitamin D and calcium levels were normal??

[cyclinglady]

I am not a doctor, but I can share my personal experience.  The only thing that I was low on was ferritin which led my GI to test me for celiac disease.  I was never deficient in anything else yet I had Marsh Stage IIIB damage.   I went in for a routine colonoscopy (and added an endoscopy) because I had hit 50 years old (and all my friends were getting them ?).  I had no GI issues.  I have a genetic anemia, so when my hemoglobin dropped, it was blamed on my monthly menstrual cycle.  But I actually had two anemias (the iron-deficiency one resolved once I went gluten free).  I think my body learned to adapt to my anemias.  I also lived with a gluten-free eater, so I was very gluten light for over a decade.  

There was no indication that I had osteoporosis until I experienced fractures.