Question about Coeliac disease.

[Spidermama]

My son has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes which is linked to coeliac disease.

Two years ago I took him to a naturopath because he was always very snotty, and had digestive problems like bloating and smelly farts. (Apologies for TMI). I took him off wheat and dairy at her suggestion and he improved dramatically.

The diabtetic consultant, on the other hand, is now suggesting I re-intorduce wheat. He's very sceptical that wheat was the cause of ds's snotty problems and thinks it's hard enough being diabetic without unecessarily limiting food choices.

So ds has been eating wheat for about 3 weeks, but his stinky farts have returned and his nose is blocked again. He's having a bad enough time getting used to the diagnosis so this is really upsetting.

The doctor can carry out a test for coeliac disease, but only if my ds has been eating wheat for - he says - three months.

I'm not sure what to do. To me it's obvious he's not getting on with wheat, but is it worth my while feeding it to him so that he can have the coeliac test in April?

[bundle]

I think it's worth it spidermama, to rule out a condition which he'd have to deal with (like his diabetes) for the rest of his life. But obviously it's a very personal choice for your family.

[gingernut]

I tend to agree with bundle spidermama, unless his symptoms are very severe. Complex carbohydrates are such an important part of the recommended diet for diabetics that you really need to know whether he definitely is intolerant of gluten. Have you re-introduced dairy into his diet or just the wheat? I'm only asking because dairy can be associated with blocked nose. Factsheet on coeliac disease here doesn't mention blocked nose as a sign but does say symptoms can be a bit inconclusive in children. Really hope he doesn't have this as well, but you are right they can be linked.

Did you get the Balance magazine BTW?

[Spidermama]

I did get the magazine gingernut. Thank you so much for that. I really do appreciate it.
Yes I have re-introduced dairy too. That was silly come to think of it. I'll cut out the dairy but continue with the wheat in order to get the test results.
Thanks.

I'll now have a look at that link.

[mazzystar]

spidermama, i don't have direct experience, but a good friend was diagnosed with coeliac disease this time last year and the improvement in her health since changing her diet has been dramatic and stunning.

as gluten is found in all sorts of things as well as wheat - that you don't want to have the faff of excluding without a diagnosis; and because the effects of coeliac disease over several years can be very serious - i imagine its probably worth having the test done. though maybe its possible to do it in a few months when things aren't so tough for him?

hth

[gingernut]

Oh good, glad you got it. I find them very interesting. I also have a fiend with coeliac disease BTW.

[Callmemadam]

Spidermama, I come from a family with coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes in several members: I would say that you must reintroduce wheat, as coeliac disease can only be diagnosed properly if wheat is present in the diet, and it is very important, as others have said, that he gets complex carbs. Stinky farts are not really indicative of coeliac diease: floaty, greasy fouls smelling poos are, as well as ones that look like rabbit droppings. His digestive problems of two years ago are also highly suggestive of an inability to process sugar, which can precede diabetes in children. HTH

[Spidermama]

That makes a lot of sense Callmemadam. Thanks.