Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity?

[barkley]

My daughter has this skin. Literally, she is so pale you can see the blood vessels.

They have suspected our daughter of having it for years. They've done the blood screen twice (I think at 3 & 5, or 4 & 6, I forget exactly) but it was negative both times. However she has several symptoms: severe chronic constipation, slow growth, horrible dental enamel, poor appetite, anxiety (however she also has ASD) and probably more I'm not thinking of as she has many fluky things. Autoimmune issues run in the family and she has certain markers such as Raynaud's Syndrome and Livedo Reticularis. Anyways, about a week ago, she has started breaking out in a rash every night after supper. We have no idea what it is. She gets itchy, and it slowly fades on it's own (or Benadryl helps). It's been suggested it could be any number of things of course, but one has suggested liver issues (her bowel medication can be hard on the liver), obviously food allergies as a possibility, or an auto immune issue.

my son is asd and also breaks out in a random occurring rash. he's been tested for several things but it's never been pinned down. fortunately it clears up within a couple of hours on it's own but the doctor has us give him a small dose of antihistamine to help as well. he's pale as a ghost as well-but i chalk that up to a combination of taking after my maternal side of the family (pale redheads) and an aversion to doing ANYTHING that entails being outside (sunburns and bugs are 2 of his anxieties).

 

[Dancind]

My belief about gluten sensitivity, and I'm not the only one. Wheat production in this country has changed completely in the last 30 or so years. The wheat is a different breed, more can grow on less land, and it is resistant to Roundup. On some farms, it is sprayed with Roundup about two weeks before harvesting as a drying agent, making it easier to harvest. It also causes the wheat to release more seeds. This is denied by some farmers and Monsanto, but the practice varies. At any rate, it all gets mixed together.

I do not know if I can eat organic wheat products, but I don't think so. Anyway, I'm afraid to try.

People have been eating wheat and gluten for centuries, and only recently been developing celiac in such numbers. I have reactions to most chemicals, since I got very sick from exposure some years ago. May be why I can eat the ancient grains stuff, and people can eat pasta when they go to Italy. I didn't try that, didn't want to ruin my trip if I reacted.

 

[mjkacmom]

So many cases of celiac went undiagnosed, many from Irish decent. I believe it is pretty easy to diagnose with a biopsy.

 

[BadPinkTink]

So many cases of celiac went undiagnosed, many from Irish decent. I believe it is pretty easy to diagnose with a biopsy.

Celiac disease is more common in families from the West of Ireland, people who come from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo. This area of Ireland was the worst hit by the Irish Famine from 1845 to 1851. Just under 2 million people died in Ireland and about 1 million went to America to escape The Famine. There is a theory and speculation that celiac disease is somehow linked to the Famine in Ireland. My mothers family are from Galway and Roscommon.

 

[_19disnA]

The disease Celiac has probably always been around, the medical profession has just gotten better at diagnosing those who have it. We have friends who finally got diagnosed correctly and now know to avoid gluten. Their doctor originally had trouble determining what their issue was. For those who do not have Celiac, gluten needs to be part of a healthy diet. Only those with Celiac should avoid gluten.

 

[stsomewhere]

My daughter has this skin. Literally, she is so pale you can see the blood vessels.

They have suspected our daughter of having it for years. They've done the blood screen twice (I think at 3 & 5, or 4 & 6, I forget exactly) but it was negative both times. However she has several symptoms: severe chronic constipation, slow growth, horrible dental enamel, poor appetite, anxiety (however she also has ASD) and probably more I'm not thinking of as she has many fluky things. Autoimmune issues run in the family and she has certain markers such as Raynaud's Syndrome and Livedo Reticularis. Anyways, about a week ago, she has started breaking out in a rash every night after supper. We have no idea what it is. She gets itchy, and it slowly fades on it's own (or Benadryl helps). It's been suggested it could be any number of things of course, but one has suggested liver issues (her bowel medication can be hard on the liver), obviously food allergies as a possibility, or an auto immune issue.

Look into Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Mast cell activation disorder.

 

[mshanson3121]

Look into Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Mast cell activation disorder.

She was assessed actually. She met criteria, except for the pain so diagnosis has Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.

 

[stsomewhere]

She was assessed actually. She met criteria, except for the pain so diagnosis has Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.

The new criteria includes GI issues.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

FYI, clinically speaking, the correct term is "gluten sensitivity", not "gluten intolerance". I don't admit to understanding the difference, since I'm not an expert, but apparently some doctors in a meeting in 2012 in Oslo decided what term to use.

 

[desamnik]

The disease Celiac has probably always been around, the medical profession has just gotten better at diagnosing those who have it. We have friends who finally got diagnosed correctly and now know to avoid gluten. Their doctor originally had trouble determining what their issue was. For those who do not have Celiac, gluten needs to be part of a healthy diet. Only those with Celiac should avoid gluten.

 

[desamnik]

There are other "autoimmune diseases" that make it difficult for a person with them to digest gluten. Gluten causes a reaction in the immune system of people that do not have "celiac" disease. For example, Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid. Most people with this autoimmune disease cannot digest gluten and it wreaks havoc with their digestive system. There is no damage done to their small intestine, the damage is done to the thyroid by causing an auto immune reaction.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I was actually referring to those who follow one of those newer fad diets where you avoid gluten. Gluten needs to be part of a healthy diet unless you have a medical condition where you doctor recommends otherwise.

 

[disykat]

I've never heard that gluten needs to be part of a healthy diet. Why, if you're eating other grains?

My only experience going gluten free was for 7 weeks as part of an elimination diet. It doesn't appear to be part of my issue so I'm eating it again mainly because I'm lazy and I like it, but I do admit my skin looked better and being gluten free was forcing me to look closely at my food and eat a better diet overall. All good things IMO. Why would I "need" gluten?

 

[_19disnA]

Mayo clinic is always a good source for fact-based, medically sound information on medical topics. Probably many other reputable medical websites also have write-ups as well.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-...eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art-20048530

 

[mshanson3121]

Mayo clinic is always a good source for fact-based, medically sound information on medical topics. Probably many other reputable medical websites also have write-ups as well.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-...eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art-20048530

People do not need gluten. Grains are beneficial yes in the proper form, but their benefits can be achieved through gluten free grains.

The reason most medical professionals do not recommend the gluten free diet if you do not need to be on it, is because most people just go out and replace all their starches (breads, crackers, pizzas and all other things made with flour), with highly processed gluten free options. These overly processed items tend to be low in nutrients and high in sodium.

Anthropolgically speaking, it's a relatively new thing for us to eat grains/gluten. Instead our diets were plant/meat based. Look at the paleo diet, No, we do not "need" gluten.

 

[firefly_ris]

because most people just go out and replace all their starches (breads, crackers, pizzas and all other things made with flour), with highly processed gluten free options. These overly processed items tend to be low in nutrients and high in sodium.

And sugar.... my friend's 6 year old daughter has Celiac's (she vomits violently for about 3 straight hours whenever she has it -- including if she doesn't wash her hands after using Play-Doh and puts her hand in her mouth) and she said the hardest part of doing gluten-free for her has been that things are instead packed with so much other crap instead, like you said sodium, and she told me excessive sugar contents.

 

[BLAZEY]

A good friend of DD9 was diagnosed at 5 and the younger sister at 4. Their mother also was diagnosed as a teen so when her daughters had issues she had them tested. She sends the friend to birthday parties with a cupcake form home, and we always have gluten free snacks available when we have playdates and at parties. I have food allergies to fish/seafood, so I understand the care that needs to be taken to avoid cross contamination.

 

[North of Mouse]

please read up and do some research. My mum and grandmother have Celiac Disease. It is very different to just a food intolerance. My mum was very ill as a child and even now associates foods such as pasta and spaghetti will illness and will not eat gluten free pasta. As far as I know, the only genuine test for Celiac Disease is a biopsy of the small intestine. A blood test does not make sense to me, as Celiac Disease affects the small intestine and not blood. Both my mum and grandmother were diagnosed by having the biopsy.

True Celiac Disease is a type of auto immune disease where the body has an inability to process gluten. Gluten is present in wheat, oats, barely and rye so the person eliminates all forms of these grains from their diet.

Source https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352220
Eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications.

In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development, in addition to the symptoms seen in adults.

This! Most (though not all) are diagnosed at a very young age. A good friend's child nearly died at 18 mos. 20 yrs. ago as it wasn't understood much then. She was constantly throwing everything up and not growing. She has a true allergic reaction to gluten. Most people I know have various intolerances, but do not become really ill if they eat a gluten food here and there. Have not heard of blood tests for it, but not saying there isn't.

 

[mshanson3121]

Have not heard of blood tests for it, but not saying there isn't.

Yes. They're veey common and normally done before a biopsy. They test for certain antibodies that are produced as an immune response to the gluten.