Does diabetes cause celiac?

Question

ok; im 13 and have had diabetes sence i was 1 and a half. and i have taken good care of myself. but my doctor thinks i need to do better because ive had it so long. but she said she was going to have tests about celiac. and im not sure what that means. all i no is celiac is where u have to have a gluten free diet. but anyways will my diabetes cause the celiac? and if yes. how can i prevent it? im scared please help. i really dont want anymore problems. and i dont want to have dificulties when im older. oh and i also have a thyroid problem where i have to take senthroid... so will that interfere with celiac? or cause it?

Answer 1

Neither diabetes of hypothyroid causes celiac disease.  The potential problem is negotiating the dietary needs/restrictions of both.

Answer 2

Hi, don't be scared, ok? Your Dr. is taking good care of you!

The reason your Dr. is checking for celiac is because the genes responsible for celiac are carried on the same gene sequence as diabetes.About 3-8% of type 1 diabetics have celiac, so it is very good that she is ruling that possibility out. Many celiacs also have thyroid issues , so with the double whammy of thyroid issues and diabetes... well, lets just say it makes sense that she is checking.Your diabetes did not cause celiac, it is a genetic, autoimmune disease and if you have it, it is something that is hardwired in your system, ok?

Testing for celiac is usually done first with a blood test. They will look for antibodies to gluten in your blood. If those come back positive then she may or may not order an endoscopy.

The only way synthroid can bother celiac is if it has gluten in it. The treatment of celiac is basically going on a gluten free diet, which is really not that hard when you get the hang of it.

Please stay calm and do not get too scared or upset. Celiac is not the end of the world and is easily worked around.

I hope this helped answer some of your questions. If you want to know more about celiac there are some great sites out there!

Please search "type1 diabetes celiac" for more info!