Below is additional helpful information about topics related to celiac disease.
Before Diagnosis
Blood tests can strongly suggest celiac disease, but an upper endoscopy with biopsies is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis. It also establishes a baseline that helps guide your child's long-term care.
If gluten has already been removed, it can affect the accuracy of blood tests and biopsies. Depending on how long your child has been gluten-free, your gastroenterologist may recommend a gluten challenge before additional testing.
Your child's gastroenterologist will review the results and determine the most appropriate next steps. This may include repeat testing, ongoing monitoring, or evaluation for other conditions that can cause elevated celiac antibodies.
After Diagnosis
There is currently no cure for celiac disease, but it is very manageable. With a strict gluten-free diet and regular follow-up, most children grow, thrive, and lead healthy, active lives. Although the intestine can heal, celiac disease does not go away, and eating gluten again will reactivate the disease.
The severity of symptoms and the amount of intestinal damage can vary from child to child, but the treatment is the same for everyone: a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
Every child heals at a different pace. Many children begin feeling better within weeks, but complete healing of the small intestine often takes months. Regular follow-up visits and blood tests help us monitor your child's recovery.
No. Feeling better means the gluten-free diet is working—it does not mean celiac disease has gone away. Even without symptoms, eating gluten can cause ongoing intestinal damage.
Healing takes time, and antibody levels often improve gradually over several months. Your care team will monitor your child's progress and determine whether additional evaluation or dietary changes are needed.
Living with Celiac Disease
We recommend screening all first-degree biological relatives—including parents, siblings, and children—because they have a higher risk of developing celiac disease.
Possibly. Celiac disease can develop at any age, so repeat screening may be recommended if symptoms develop or based on your child's family history and your healthcare provider's recommendations.
Most children with celiac disease can safely eat certified gluten-free oats. However, your gastroenterologist or dietitian may recommend waiting until your child's disease is well controlled before introducing them. Some children may also need to avoid oats if they continue to have symptoms.
Very important. Cross-contact occurs when gluten-free food comes into contact with gluten-containing food or shared utensils and preparation surfaces. Even small amounts of gluten can interfere with intestinal healing, so careful attention to cross-contact is an important part of treatment.
Yes. A 504 Plan provides important protections beyond school meals, including classroom activities, school celebrations, field trips, and access to medical accommodations, helping create a safe and inclusive learning environment for your child.
