Diagnosis

Jim from Baltimore · Guest

I am 60 years old and was diagnosed with CD about 20 years ago purely by accident. My children's pediatrician had spent a year at a hospital in Ireland. She recognized my CD....................Since early childhood, I was always so sick and didn't know why. The doctors didn't have a clue. Through the years I had conditioned myself to ignore the severe headaches and I thought everybody went to the bathroom 6 or 7 times a day. Now I keep a strict GF diet (no oats). I very rarely get sick because of my discipline. When you are first diagnosed, you should be grateful that 1) CD is not fatal, and 2) that it can be controlled. Isn't it wonderful to know what is wrong with you? Additionally, within the past ten years I have become lactose intolerant. If you get tough and watch your diet, your quality of life will be greatly improved. (We all probably whine about the GF diet initially)............I am part of a very large, extended family but it seems that I am the only one with CD, is there any literature on the hereditary aspect of CD?

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 7855 Location: WI, USA

Hi Jim,

Welcome to the board! I am glad that you are keeping up with your GF lifestyle. It does make a difference, doesn't it?? Very Happy

CD is genetic. Just because you have the genes does not mean that you have CD. There is also a trigger...something causes it to happen...an illness, an infection, some reports are showing poor gut health, use of NSAIDs and anti-inflammatories.

CD occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a celiac. In 70% of identical twin pairs, both twins have the disease. It is suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic.

I'm pulling these entries from a www.google.com search on Celiac Genetic. If you want to do this yourself - it should keep you out of trouble for awhile Smile

http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/genstudy.html - this might be old
http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/cel-hla.html
http://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=63
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa