Have you urged your close relatives to get tested for Coeliac Disease? Here's why you should..

[FionaGFG]

It's common knowledge that if someone in your family is diagnosed with Coeliac Disease then 1 in 10 of your close family will also have it. Remember not everyone has obvious Coeliac (bowel) issues. Many are just damn tired with eczema, thyroid problems, tooth problems and anemia. Some maybe very underweight some maybe very overweight.

Here's a useful video by a leading USA Doctor on some recent research into Coeliac Disease and gluten sensitivity and why getting tested is so vital to avoid Cancer and Heart Disease...

youtube.com/watch?v=yLJSmJ0...(Not working as expected?)

Very useful for discussing with relatives who don't want to get tested for Coeliac Disease.

And for those who prefer reading here's a link to the same topic in article form instead:

huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-...

[tmoxon]

Thank you for posting this, perhaps the NHS should take notice of the part in the article that advises coeliacs who are diagnosed cost less money in healthcare.

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Indeed. Sadly it is hit and miss as to whether many GPs/ Gastro Drs mention to newly diagnosed patients that they should urge their close family to get tested. We see a lot of negative press about Coeliacs and the cost of prescription food - but what of the economic benefits of diagnosing Coeliacs early so they don't drain the NHS? It's strange that this positive angle is rarely explored. After all undiagnosed Coeliac Disease can lead to many problems including various Cancers and Heart Disease. All of which require a huge amount of money to treat and manage afterwards.

That being said we have been very surprised by many virtual and real Coeliac contacts of ours who have said things such as,

'No my kids won't get tested they think my diet is bad enough, they don't want to know if they have it'

and

'My family have obvious symptoms but they're in denial'

It's pretty scary that these family members are potentially putting their lives at risk to continue to stay ignorant about whether they have coeliac disease or not.