Do I need a coeliac diagnosis?

[Sideofnoreturn]

My DC has just been diagnosed with coeliac disease. Reading up on it I’m convinced I have it too - I have hypothyroidism and have had severe anaemia in pregnancy. I’ve never had any of the bloating/digestive problems though and have never been tested before (though according to NICE guidelines I should have been on my hypothyroidism diagnosis).

Now that my DC has been diagnosed we will be going gluten free as a household anyway. I was wondering whether there is any point in me getting an official diagnosis (which will presumably involve more time eating gluten, hospital appointments etc which is tricky as I have 2 other kids including an EBF baby) or whether I should just proceed as if I do have it? I’d rather just cut out gluten now and get on with things, but if there is any reason why it would be good to have it on record then let me know.

I would get tested. You can do it privately very easily (costs about £60 and you order online, results back in about 2 weeks). You need to be eating a gluten heavy diet for the test to work so you won’t have the option later if you plan for the whole family to go gluten free.

You can also request from your GP, but would be much faster privately and at home. It’s an easy finger prick test.

If you haven’t got any actual digestive issues I wouldn’t bother . I’ve got several auto immune illnesses including hypothyroidism and a daughter with coeliacs and I’m not coeliac so it doesn’t necessarily follow IYSWIM . I was tested a few years back as I had GI issues . I would also be wary of making your entire household GF .

Think carefully before cutting out gluten for everyone in the household. It's extremely difficult to reintroduce it once it's out and you are severely limiting options for your other children in the future, possibly unnecessarily.

@Eachpeachpears

Think carefully before cutting out gluten for everyone in the household. It's extremely difficult to reintroduce it once it's out and you are severely limiting options for your other children in the future, possibly unnecessarily.

Why would this limit the options for the other kids? Would they become intolerant just because they don’t eat it at home?

It’s a great idea to make your household gf as the other kids can eat gluten outside of the home. It’s hard when a child is diagnosed and there is gluten temptations around and risk of contamination. I’d suggest getting the test done before you go mainly gf- it’s useful to have the diagnosis clinically and so you can explain rather than say ‘I think I am...’ etc etc

Easier to get it done while you're still eating gluten as you often get worse symptoms on reintroduction. There are regular checks for bone density and lymphoma if you have an official diagnosis.

If you make household gf then family will become more sensitive to gluten if not eating it daily- consultant told us at dd appreciate as age is coeliac