Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Blood Test Or Gluten Free Diet To Test?

aberglund

Recommended Posts

aberglund Rookie
aberglund
Posted

My 5 year old daughter has had a distended stomach since age 3, and now has gas, complains slightly of tummy aches,(always (pulls her pants below her tummy) and has gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months. I took her to a naturopath where vega testing showed she has a moderate sensitivity to gluten and to dairy.

I also took her to my family doctor who referred me to a paediatrician (more concerned with the weight gain) The Paed. wants her to have a thyroid test prior to coming to the apt. in a few weeks. I also asked for a celiac test to be done.

I'm new to the whole world of gluten intolerance and celiac and I'm wondering what to do.....

The bloodwork may be traumatic for my daughter and because it's a "moderate" sensitivity the test would most likely be negative. The naturopath distinguishes between disease and distress, suggesting that a positive reaction to a strict gluten free diet for 3 months would be proof of a sensitivity. What do you recommend?

I'm also wondering if anyone has experienced weight gain as a symptom of celiac. Most people comment on weight loss.

thanks

Ana

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I think that, while it may be unpleasant, a single blood draw shouldn't be a huge problem for a 5 year old. Getting that test *can* be helpful, and you can try the elimination diet after the blood test regardless of the results. It will be easier for your doctors (her doctors) to take you more seriously. The tests do have false negatives, but they're not exactly "unreliable" IF she's eating plenty of gluten.

jams Explorer
jams
Posted

I had both of my kids tested. My daughter was 3 at the time and my son 7. It is a quick blood draw. She may cry a bit but it will be quick. They had to dig in my daughters arm with a butterfly needle because she was so small at the time. She cried for about 10 minutes but it was worth having the results. She will probably need blood drawn for the thyroid test anyways. Might as well just kill two birds with one stone.

Just be strong for her. Don't let her know that it is killing you to see her upset about it. Good luck!

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

My daughter was 3 when they did the blood draw AND the lab was extremely insensitive to the fact that she was scared out of her mind. They wouldn't let me hold her, they strapped her into a chair and drew blood from her elbow. THEN they had the audacity to NOT run the correct tests. I'm still trying to figure out if it was because they just don't run that specific panel, the Dr. didn't request the specific panel (which his office said they did), or insurance refused to pay for the full panel. In any case her results were inconclusive but she had tremendous improvement on the gluten-free diet. Personally I was so aggravated with the whole experience and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Merika Contributor
Merika
Posted

I used to be a total sissy about blood draws :) Well, I still don't like to watch, lol. Really, it's not that bad. Vaccines hurt just as much and can make you sick for days later, but everyone does those, right? (not starting a vax discussion here, just rhetorical).

The momentary pain and inconvenience is nothing compared with the possibility of not knowing, or jsut going gluten-free and then trying to explain to her why she can't have a gluten food somewhere, whereas last week she could....let her be part of the process and discovery...

hth,

Merika

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

'The bloodwork may be traumatic for my daughter'

Be sure to explain to her that the doctors and nurses are trying to find out why her tummy hurts so much. To help them do this they need to take a little bit of her blood to check. Tell her it will hurt a teeny bit but not for long. I used to let my littel ones watch my many blood draws when I had the chance. Try not to let her know if you yourself don't like needles. Many times if we explain to children what and why the doctors are doing something it helps allay their fears. Some even become quite interested in the process. If you assume it will be tramatic for her it will. Make it something you just have to do and maybe have a treat on the way home.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,820
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Glutenisme
    Newest Member
    Glutenisme
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.4k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • AuntieAutoimmune
      Royal Caribbean Only, Please

      By AuntieAutoimmune · Posted

      Great tips, Deb. Thanks.  What a pity that they no longer mark items as gluten-free. And it is even more of a shame that you must bring protein bars instead of the crew helping you with your needs. Are you planning on sailing Royal again? 
    • Scott Adams
      Hidden Gluten in distilled vinegar

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I've not heard of any issues with Primal Kitchen, but it certainly would be worth not using the brand for a while to see if this helps. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful:    
    • Scott Adams
      Can I trust the gluten free label if a product was made in a facility that also processes gluten?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      If you are super sensitive you may want to look for only Certified Gluten-Free Products, as @trents mentioned.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free/ non dairy , low calorie pudding

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I'm not sure about low calorie, as puddings are typically a dessert, but we do have this category: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/gluten-free-recipes/gluten-free-dessert-recipes-pastries-cakes-cookies-etc/gluten-free-pudding-recipes/ This one might work if you cut back on the sugar:    
    • DebJ14
      Royal Caribbean Only, Please

      By DebJ14 · Posted

      We are off next week on our 9th RCCL cruise since our diagnoses.  I send an email to special_needs@rccl.com before every cruise letting them know that I am both dairy and gluten free and my husband is gluten free.   Unfortunately, with the new menus they introduced in 2023, they removed the gluten-free designation from each item on the menu.  Instead of having a dedicated person take gluten-free orders, it now falls to your regular wait staff.  Some have been great and some not so good.  We had a great cruise in May and hit it off with our head waiter.  She went the extra mile and ordered gluten free desserts that were not on the menu.  My problem arises from other food allergies.  I am allergic to dairy, beef, and several types of fish.  On those days my husband is a happy camper with a steak or salmon, veggies and a baked potato.  I end up not getting enough protein, so I bring protein bars.  I also bring snacks for the room. As long as the food is commercially prepared and unopened, you can bring it. Often the only dessert choices that are gluten free contain dairy, so I am out of luck.  But, if you are just gluten free, they have plenty of choices.  See the head chef in the Windjammer buffet and he will give you a tour of the gluten-free choices.  They usually have 2 gluten free desserts out at lunch and they are labeled gluten free. We have found that it works best to have assigned dining rather than anytime.  That way the waiters learn from the get go what our needs are, and we don't have to explain ourselves every night.  We also get a private table for 2.  I frankly got sick and tired of tablemates telling me a little bit of gluten would not hurt me.
×
×
  • Create New...