There is a great degree of confusion regarding individuals who should be screened for gluten sensitivity/intolerance.
Because research has shown that as many as 40% of all Americans may be gluten sensitive, and that 1 in 100 have a severe form of this sensitivity causing the the autoimmune intestinal disease, celiac sprue, a case can be made that everyone in America should be screened for gluten sensitivity.
However, there are people with various risk factors or diseases that are at greater risk of having gluten sensitivity who should undoubtedly be tested.
These conditions include:
• Microscopic colitis (inflammation of the colon)
• Relatives of those with celiac disease or gluten-sensitive individuals including
• Chronic diarrhea of unknown origin
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hepatitis C
• Liver disease of unknown origin
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Degenerative disc disease
• Colon Cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Psoriasis
• Any autoimmune diseases (common ones include):
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Dermatomyositis
• Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Asthma
• Migraine Headaches
• Osteoporosis
• Iron deficiency
• Failure to thrive (FTT) or short stature in children
• Down’s syndrome
• Mothers of kids with neural tube defects
• Female infertility (includes those with multiple miscarriages)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Cerebellar ataxia (unexplained dizziness)
• Seizure disorders
• Psychiatric disorders (Schizophrenia and bipolar)
• Depression
• Alcoholism
• Autism
• ADHD/ADD
Article Shared at the Request of: Gluten Free Society
Can you tell me which tests should be performed? We just went through a round of tests and most came out negative. The endoscopy did show some damage and we will continue to stay GF. Because we went GF/CF before the tests we do not know if baby girl is intollerent of celiac. Her aunt is celiac so I want to lean towrds that. any insight?
Sarah – tests often show false negatives when you've already gone off Gluten – frustrating for a lot of people. If there's damage to the GI tract and you (or your daughter) were already G-Free, and it runs in your family, chances are VERY GOOD for Celiac. You could request an intestinal biopsy to be certain, or you can just stay off gluten & see if there is improvement over time.