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

When my son was a baby (he's 3 1/2 now) he had chronic diarrhea, a big
bloated belly and weight loss - typical celiac. Our pediatrician wasn't much
help so I looked up his symptoms online and found out about celiac. I asked
the pediatrician if she thought going GF would be something to try and she
said "Sure, it can't hurt." My son was a different child within 48 hours!

After reading about celiac I realized that I could possibly have it. I was
33 at the time and had numerous health issues (all autoimmune), chronic
anemia, weak bones and teeth, 6.5 years of infertility before having my son
(was on Glucophage when I got pregnant), 3 miscarriages, hypoglycemia, PCOS,
ITP, complicated pregnancy with pre-term labor, HELLP syndrome (liver
issues), Preeclampsia, and more... but I never had gastro symptoms! I have
an iron stomach! Heck, the last time I vomited I was 6 years old!

When I had my blood test to screen for celiac, I was on Plaquenil
(hydroxychloroquine) to treat supposed lupus. I say supposed because I had
so many positive antibody counts my rheumatologist felt enough was going on
the put me on it. I was also on Levoxyl at the time because I have
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My test came back negative I remember but one
antibody was borderline negative. I went GF anyway right after the test and
have been GF for 1 3/4 years now. It has changed my life! I am feeling
better each month. I even had a second son in May and my pregnancy was much
easier. It took only one try to conceive this one - where it took 6 1/2
years to conceive my first!

My question is - do you think it's possible that being on Plaquenil lowered
my antibody count? I'm just curious. I don't care personally if my son and I
have an official diagnosis. I know without a doubt we have celiac and have
not wavered off of our "diet" for almost 2 years now. We both get very sick
if we eat gluten. (My son can't have dairy either.) Plus I see a naturopath
(Dr. Doherty who also has celiac) and I tested positive for leaky gut. She
agrees I have celiac too.

I'm just wondering why my tests would have come out negative and I think it
was due to being on Plaquenil. I think Plaquenil lowers antibody counts, and
I don't see how it could only target lupus-type antibodies and not
anti-gliadin ones.

If this is the case, I have to wonder how many people are not getting
diagnosed because they are on medications like this for lupus/RA, etc.
Honestly, I had so many blatant symptoms, I don't see how it's possible for
me not to have celiac.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks!
Christine in NH

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