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

Has anyone heard of or been diagnosed with, in addition to CD,
"hypercoaguability"?  Recent research has found a connection between
this, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and possibly Crohn's disease and
IBS.  Hypercoagulability is basically thick blood (I'm simplifying here);
this condition restricts blood flow, causes inflammation, and may account
for joint/muscle pain, fatigue and inability to heal a leaky gut.  The
lab my doctor mentioned that does this testing is called Hemex.  The
following is a portion from one of Hemex's web page
(http://www.hemex.com/hemex_frames.html):

CFS / FM / MFP SYNDROMES:  A HYPERCOAGULABLE STATE?
New studies have shown that in many Chronic Fatigue (CFS) / Fibromyalgia
(FM) / Myofascial Pain (MFP) Syndrome, and Osteonecrosis patients, there
exists a HYPERCOAGULABLE STATE [ICD9 289.8], evidenced by fibrin deposition
in the small blood vessels. This fibrin deposition, caused by excess
thrombin generation, is detectable by new, sensitive coagulation assays.
This hypercoagulable state is probably due to the immune system directly
activating the CLOTTING CASCADE (Immune System Activation of Coagulation -
ISAC theory) with or without PLATELET ACTIVATION (platelets can reinforce
the clotting cascade). The hypercoagulable state may be due to a number of
conditions, including a genetic predisposition to clotting which has not yet
been diagnosed in the patient.

The coagulation CASCADE may be activated directly by an immunoglobulin (IgG
antibody), which indicates a long-term inflammatory response from varied
sources, such as, bacteria, viruses, trauma, etc. An active clotting episode
in the patient can be difficult to detect, but new markers (tests) for
coagulation can show us when clotting, even on a small scale, is occurring.

The question which needs to be answered is: "What is the underlying process
that is causing the thrombin generation?" To help answer that question, a
review of the coagulation process follows. (I have edited out 5 paragraphs
of explanation, due to length.)

... The question "what caused this hypercoagulable state?" therefore may be
answered in a number of different ways, including, microbiological (virus,
bacteria, parasites), immune system activation or changes, chemical
exposure, and/or genetic defects (including coagulation protein defects,
such as Protein C, Protein S, APC Resistance, AntiThrombin, Factor II,
etc.).

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The above is only an excerpt.  If anyone is interested in the entire
information sheet and is not connected to the Internet, please let me know
and I will forward you the article in its entirety.  There are several web
sites discussing hypercoagulability and other diseases.  I have not found
one relating to Celiac, but it does make me wonder if any of our Celiac
researchers have looked into this.  It may not be the cause but perhaps lead
to a more rapid and full recovery.

I found this interesting in relation to CD because it also can be
hereditary, possibly triggered by an immune system change, and can involve
immunoglobulin antibodies.  In addition, it may be a cause of the aches and
pains many of us continue to suffer.  Also on the Hemex web site is a lot of
technical information for those of you who can "speak" that language and a
journal from a lady with fibromyalgia who went through the treatment.
Although I am hesitant about even getting the blood tests run due to a
reluctance to undertake the treatment, my doctor is almost positive this is
what I have since my father had it.  I would love to hear from any of you
who have researched this.  For those in much pain or great fatigue, it does
sound promising.

Kathy