Child still not growing, need supplement ideas.

wheatsux · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Chicago, IL

Hi,

We've got a couple of us, myself included, that are GF / Celiac. I've mostly bounced back after being diagnosed 3 years ago, although there have been many struggles along the way.

My 9 yo son has been symptom free, also 3 years since diagnosis, at least free of every symptom but lack of growth. he still has not had that classic catch up growth spurt everyone talks about after GF diet is introduced. We think the culprit may be lack of absorption of vitamins and minerals, and are planning a full blood panel soon.

In the meant time, does anyone have any child-specific supplement experiences that they can share? I'm looking for what types of nutrients / supplements were used, how often, what forms, and what was the response. If you had a "catch up" growth story for your child, what did you do differently?

I've heard a lot about l-glutamine, calcium, more protein, more calories? etc., and custom vitamin mixes, etc. Right now we give basic vitamins, and then enzymes with meals. Occasionally calcium supplements.

Any thoughts or links on this would be really helpful.

I can also share my supplement / testing regime if anyone would find it helpful.

Thanks,

C
_________________
3 of 4 kids Gluten Intollerant.
Even the dog is on a special diet.
Fish seem ok.

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2542 Location: Washington State

I personally would not be inclined to supplement until I figured out what he was deficient in. I think getting bloodwork to check his levels in various nitruents is a wise thing to do.

My son didn't grow a whole lot in the first year or so after his diagnosis, but then he started to pick up speed in the second year. We did not do anything special other than trying to get him to eat a good diet and giving a multivitamin and calcium supplement.

Good luck getting to the bottom of things.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt