<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

1.  Pneumococcal Disease
2.  Osteoporosis
3.  My role

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1.  Pneumococcal Disease is a serious bacterial disease, preventable by
vaccination. People with celiac disease may be more vulnerable to it
because their spleen may not be fully functioning.

Vaccination for this is apparently not common for people with celiac
disease and is not mentioned in the most recent medical journal articles.
On the other hand, it has been linked to deaths of people with celiac
disease, the disease is widespread and increasingly un-treatable, and the
vaccine is safe and effective.

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2.  Osteoporosis.  This is also serious, but much less serious for people
with celiac disease than others.  As our intestine function better, we can
begin absorbing more calcium.

There is almost no solid information on this. The FDA has approved pills
for treating osteoporosis bases on clinical studies of people who didn't
have celiac disease. We simply don't know what we need to decide on
treatment.  One expert told me that we should have some solid information
next June.

So it's good to have this response:
__
It may be comforting to know that, though I am high risk for bone density
problems, having severe scoliosis and also cd, discovered only 7 years ago
(I am over 65), since strict adherence to the diet and taking 1500 mgs
Calcium plus Vitamin D (on the recommendation of the bone metabolism
specialist) my bone density has improved 3% in each of the past two
screenings, each 3 years apart.  I am now off the danger list.  Not only
that, my teeth and gums are in better shape, and there is definitely a
reversal of bone loss in the jaws.  Apparently I never did absorb calcium
sufficiently.  Wow is all I can say. nancy
__

Update on bone density scans: The NY Times reported that many people are
being told they have density almost as bad as osteoporosis, but that there
is no scientific reason to consider that a problem.  For more, check the
Times or (in a few days) ConsumerXchange.org.
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3.  My role. No, I'm not officially in a health related field.  I've had a
unique medical education, including reading thousands of medical journal
articles, dissecting people in a medical school lab, and litigating the
first successful class action by patients against physicians for
price-fixing. I provide consumer advocacy and information through
ConsumerXchange.



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Original Post:

>If you have Celiac Disease, make sure your doctor:
>
>         1.  Tests your bone density (osteoporosis is likely),
>
>         2.  Vaccinates you for pneumococcal disease (serious infections are
>likely),  and
>
>         3. Tests your blood for iron and folate deficiencies.
>
>
>Other recommendations for initial management:
>
>         Referral to a dietitian and support group;
>
>         Ensure all regular medications are gluten-free;
>
>         If osteoporotic, assess vitamin D and parathyroid hormone
> concentrations;
>
>         Blood screening of your parents, children, brothers and sisters.
>
>
>References:
>         Coeliac disease Seminar. Lancet 8/2/03. Green+.
>
>         Celiac Disease -- The Villain Unmasked?, New England Journal of
> Medicine
>6/19/03,                McManus+.
>
>         Celiac Disease -- How to Handle a Clinical Chameleon, New England
> Journal
>of Medicine,            6/19/03, Fasano (Editorial).
>
>
>Carl Shoolman
>(Just after receiving a diagnosis of severe, symptom-free osteoporosis and
>a pneumococcal shot.)
>
>Rochester NY
>www.ConsumerXchange.org

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