<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I few weeks ago I posed a question regarding celiac disease and spleen damage. My question arose after I was hospitalized (in intensive care) twice in 5 months for pneumoccal sepsis that after extensive immunologic testing has been blamed on a poor spleen function. I am sorry it has taken me so long to summarize. On a personal note that is a good thing as it comes as a result of me being back at work and being very busy. Thank you for the many responses and best wishes that I recieved. Many people were concerned that I get on, and stick very carefully, to a gluten free diet. Those of you will be glad to know that I have in fact been gluten free and careful since the end of July when the likelihood of a celiac diagnosis first came to light (about a month before my biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis). As a result, I am feeling better than I have in years, I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight and my stomach is flatter than ever before in my life! My husband is also loving the fact the I have much less gas! As the following link sets out very clearly, spleen damage caused by Celiac is a very real thing (the link in fact almost describes my situation exactly!) http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw192505.asp?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348} Several other relevant articles include: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12801038 http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1825243106 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10360997 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10891750 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10022635 A couple of people refered me to Peter Green at NYC who has spoken in the past about hyposplenism in Celiac disease. Apparently he often suggests that newly diagnosed celiacs be vaccinated for the types of infections that have plagued me over the last few months. It was also noted that although real, the connection is not well recognized in the medical community (my gastroenterologist had never heard of it when I mentioned it to him). Several people gave me information suggesting that, like many immune issues related to celiac, I should see an improvement on a GF diet. The following reference perhaps gives the most concrete evidence for this: ************************************************************************ Splanchnic haemodynamics in patients with coeliac disease: effects of a gluten-free diet. Magalotti D, Volta U, Bonfiglioli A, Ramilli S, Berzigotti A, Zoli M. BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease is characterized by structural and functional changes in the small bowel which may also result in haemodynamic changes. AIMS: To establish whether splanchnic haemodynamics can be modified by a gluten-free diet. PATIENTS: Ten coeliac patients and 10 paired healthy subjects. METHODS: Echo-Doppler measurements were made of splanchnic vessels both fasting and after a standard meal before and after 9 months of a gluten-free diet. RESULTS: In comparison to controls, coeliac patients had higher superior mesenteric artery blood velocity and flow, with lower resistance indexes and higher portal vein velocity and flow, particularly 3 h after a meal. Postprandial hyperaemia was reduced and delayed in time. Intrasplenic resistance indexes were also significantly lower both fasting and after a meal. After 9 months of a gluten-free diet, no significant differences were observed between coeliac patients and controls, both fasting and after a meal. CONCLUSIONS: Splanchnic haemodynamics is significantly changed in coeliac patients, mainly after a meal. On treatment with a gluten-free diet, both fasting and postprandial haemodynamics became normal. ************************************************************************ Other comments: "It is known that for those with celiac, that gluten added to their blood in a test tube turns off "natural killer cells". Ie, their immune system goes down. also, there is a lot of "IGA deficiency" in celiacs, which is also associated with some immune problems." "I have immune response neutropenia. That means my immune system (overactive which causes my coeliac) is also destroying my white blood cells. I have very low neutrofils (not sure how you spell that) but its a part of your white blood cells. So my immune response to infections is weak and I have to take a lot of antibiotics." Several people also told personal stories of being themselves plagued with infections that had improved dramatically after becoming GF. Many people recommended various supplements in particular, a supplement called Adrenal Support formula taken to boost a damaged thyroid system apparently also contains something called spleen extract that seemed quite intriguing. Finally, I will finish with a plug for my favorite GF bread - Manna from Anna (glutenevolutions.com). I was at a loss for good bread when I first started on this diet and thought I would never enjoy an untoasted sandwich again. I was wrong. This bread bakes up wonderfully, and tastes great either as toast or just as regular sandwich; Anna's customer service is also fabulous (I have no financial connection). Heather 0__ c/ /'_ _(+)_\(+)________ Heather Ribaudo, PhD Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research Harvard School of Public Health FXB Building Rm 509 - telephone (617) 432-2897 fax (617) 432-3163 http://biosun1.harvard.edu/~hbeacon/ * Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *