Do you know someone who should get tested for CD but won't?

[FionaGFG]

Maybe they are a close family member, friend or colleague. What do you say to them about the benefits of testing for coeliac disease?

[meanioni]

My two brothers, who both have issues with wheat but are in denial.

The first claims I am over-dramatising, the second thinks he has it under control by avoiding certain breads.

My sister and I are both diagnosed coeliacs and we think my late father was too (and yes, they are older brothers!!)

[witchofthewest]

I have suggested that my siblings get tested, but to no avail! 'If it's not broken don't try to fix it' is the general rule of thumb with them. I also have four children whom I think should all be tested, but none of them are overly concerned either!

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Interesting - do you think Drs should chase relatives with CD to be tested so it's more proactive? Do you think relatives are loathe to get tested after our personal horror stories of endos and naff GF bread and moans and groans early on? After a while we all know that being GF is fab yet it is a hard sell for possible coeliacs. Not getting tested avoids facing up to a huge lifestyle change.

What can be done to encourage relatives to get tested & increase diagnosis rates & improve their health (even if they don't have obvious CD symptoms)?

[meanioni in reply to FionaGFG]

Have a nagging mum

Its a toughie to be honest. My eldest brother refuses to believe in coeliac disease - ironic given that he works as a hygiene specialist in the food industry. He claims it is the additives in flour.

My other brother likes his beer to much to give it up and, yup was a chef <rolls eyes>. He understands and can cook gluten free but refuses to do anything about his own diet apart from changing to a different wheaty bread.

My sister is a diagnosed coeliac with lots of health problems and she still has occasional gluten as she thinks if she goes completely gluten free she will become over-sensitised. Whilst there is an element of truth in this I have explained.... sigh...

I don't think there's much you can do. Families are all mad anyway!