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Thanks for all your responses. It was about 2/3 - 1/3 that kids
SHOULD have scans. Several people were able to reverse bone loss even
into their 80s, so don't lose heart if you are over 40 and have
osteopenia. I've separated the responses into AGE AND SCANS,
TREATMENTS and SCANS.
Thanks,
Chris
AGE AND SCANS:
I have a 7-year-old daughter w/celiac disease as well. She was
diagnosed when she was 6 and was sent for a dexa scan shortly
thereafter. She had significant bone loss and was diagnosed with
osterporosis. Our specialist told us that many kids who have celiac
disease have one of these two conditions, but in most cases it repairs
itself after a year on a gluten free diet. She said that while she
still orders the dexa, some doctors do not because the condition
nearly is always healed in young children with just the GF diet. That
said, slightly under one later we had a second scan and while things
were much improved, my daughter still has osteoporosis. We are doing
additional calcium supplements and lots of exercise in attempt to
build up the bone density so hopefully next year will be better
news. One important note, make sure it is done at a place where they
do pediatric scans.
***
As far as children-my daughter was diagnosed at 10 yrs old and this
was a huge concern for me. I continually inquired to local doctors as
well as the doctors that were treating her (She had gone to a
pediatric gastro specialist). They agree, it is a huge concern for
all children-the problem-there is no baseline for children under 18.
Now I continued this so called trek for years and recvd the same
answer. I finally gave up-as no one would address this and no one
knew how to baseline a child.
***
My daughter was diagnosed at age 7. After her numbers stabilized her
pediatric gastroenterologist ordered a bone scan for her. It was a
bit on the low side and at this years appointment last week he ordered
a follow up. He said if he did not see improvement then we wold add
calcium supplements to her diet and retest next year. If there is
improvement then he would not plan to retest for about 5 years unless
something else came up. He has seen children with bone loss and thinks
it's best to diagnose and treat it early. Thankfully a bone scan in
non-invasive and I was able to sit in the room with my daughter which
kept her calm and still.
***
You do not need a bone density for a 7 year old. Your bones build
until your 20’s and after your 30’s, which I was told by my doctor
****
There is no test for kids as the bone density test compares a persons
bone with normal adult dense bone. It would be off on a child since
they are building bone until age 40.
***
Kids diagnosed with celiac disease should have a bone density scan
soon after diagnosis
***
They typically do not do these on children because the thinking is
with the elimination of gluten from the diet that the intestines will
heal and in a child should still have time to improve their bone
density. When I had my bone scan, I found out that I have osteopenia
in my left hip already, but I was at risk prior to my Celiac diagnosis
as the risk factors for Osteoporosis are white, slight and female.
Asians are also at an increased risk.
***
Kids can also have a problem. I believe you can find an article and
study at www.celiac.com
TREATMENTS:
My son at age 9 has had one, for growing issues due to celiac. He was
measuring way under like a 7 yr old. Not sure if that helps, but his
endocrinologist placed him on growth hormone, 2 ensures a day, extra
vit D & liquid multi vit.
***
At age 67 I had emergency back surgery in South Africa. The surgeon
came to see me the next day saying what good, healthy bone I had! I
told him I had been taking strontium and he said they use it all the
time over there
***
Based on my son's last bone density scan, it has been calculated that
he needs 1500 i.u. of Vit. D daily in addition to his regular diet and
sun exposure.
***
When my kids were young, just to be on the safe side, I started
regularly giving them a broth made of boiled chicken feet and veal
bones. They both have celiac, as do I, though it was not diagnosed
until many years later. The soup idea came from my illiterate Polish
mother-in-law who had been told her daughter would have deformed
legs. No way! was her reaction. Soup was the answer. I have gone
back to this soup, having been diagnosed with osteopoenia in my 60's.
Now I use cow feet instead of chicken feet, which are harder to find.
A cup a day. No more osteopoenia. Bone loss can be reversed after
age 40.
***
I agree with the weight bearing exercise as well as the Calcium, but
all the calcium in the world will not improve bone health if you are
not taking a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D and calcium work hand in
hand and if you don't get adequate Vitamin D, which is a challenge to
get in via the diet and sunscreen prevents the body from making
Vitamin D, the calcium will not be absorbed by the body. Check out
the internet for Michael Holick and vitamin D.
***
was told to cut down on my caffeine consumption as it leaches the
calcium from your bones, after 1 cup per day, no matter how much
calcium you take.
***
I was diagnosed with Celiac 15 years ago and also with severe
osteoporosis. I started taking 2,000 mg calcium daily, Fosamax, and
doing weight bearing exercises. It has been very slow but I am now in
the osteopenia stage which is a big improvement. I am 81 years old.
***
I'm 72 and my bone density continues to improve. I'm taking calcium
daily, Actonel, and exercising (mostly) regularly. The doc says if I
continue to improve this way, I can discontinue the Actonel in a year
or two.
***
The most helpful doctor I see is an Endocrinologist, who
keeps a careful eye on how my body continues to absorb calcium,
vitamin D
SCANS:
It is very important that you get your scan done at the same machine
every time – even seeing the specialist who had a scanner at his
hospital, I was still sent back to the other hospital where I had my
original scans done for him to check my scan.
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