Intro/could use some help about gluten

sugar212

Hi, 

I have never posted on this board before, which is kind of strange because I have a 2 year old that has been having issues with foods. She is for sure allergic to red dye, not exactly sure what number, but we just avoid all red dye. this is easy because dye is always listed at the bottom of the ingredients list, but we (my DH and I) have been trying to figure out what else is wrong. we thought she had a low tolerance for lactose (not a full lactose intolerance since she is fine in small doses) so I took her in to an allergist and after going over her history and symptoms and checking to make sure she didn't have a milk allergy, they said to give her a 1/2 of a lactaid before she eats dairy and she should be fine. Well, the lactaid is not helping at all. her symptoms include multiple runny, sometimes diarrhea like stools every day, about 3 a day (and this is making potty training extra hard), she is very short, her growth had stopped for awhile and she has never been more than 8% on the growth chart I think, she has very dry skin and can be very, very much in her own little world (not in a daze, but more like if she wants something, she doesn't stop until she gets it, even though she is for the most part a very good little girl). She also gets horrible diaper rash. All of these things are making me believe she has a gluten sensitivity. should I have her tested, she is 2 years 3 months old, or should I just remove the gluten and see how she is. My biggest worry is how much she poo poos in a day, she never complains of a tummy ache though. TIA!

gymkatinka

I'd definitely remove gluten and wheat from her diet.Make sure you buy certified gluten free products.It should not be hard, there are tons of yummy tasting foods at the stores these days.

It will take 2-3 weeks to see any improvement so don't give up.In the meantime, maybe you can make an appointment with a GI.If. where you live is anything like NYC, you have to wait weeks to get in with a specialist. 

Good luck! 

browneyedgoil

i'm wondering if my sister has celiac but i was tested and don't have it. could my child still get it? my daughter is mspi but i think she also has sensitivity to the grains. is this possible? what age is bloodwork reliable for testing an infant for celiac?

julandjo

Don't take gluten out of her diet until she's had any and all testing completed.  She has to have been consuming a steady (heavy) diet of gluten for a long time (at least 3 months) for testing to be valid.  So if you take her off and see improvement, then decide to have her tested, she'll have to go back ON gluten and start to feel terrible again for a long time.  Not worth it.  Once you start feeling better off of gluten, eating it is the LAST thing you want to do.    So get her in for testing asap!  All the symptoms you mentioned sound like a very solid case to demand testing.