Is there going to be a new mandatory Celiac test for those being diagnosed with diabetes? More research is being done but some numbers are showing us a significant connection between the two problems. First of all, we have to understand the base number (scary) that 1 out of 133 (some studies are showing 1 out of 100 in America) people have Celiac Disease. Out of those, only FIVE PERCENT are diagnosed. So with that in mind let's look at three other numbers: 25% of new diagnosis of Celiac in America are in patients age 60 and over. Six percent of those with type I diabetes have Celiac. One out of 125 of those with type II diabetes have Celiac.
Imagine the change in those numbers if everyone who had Celiac Disease were diagnosed, not just 5% of them. Also, diabetics who have a family history of Celiac Disease increase their chances of having Celiac Disease 5-15% than the average, healthy American with European ancestry.
According to the mayo clinic, symptoms of Type II Diabetes are (1) increased thirst (2) fatigue (3) increased hunger (4) weight loss (5) blurred vision and (6) sores that do not heal well.
Some of those symptoms mimic those of Celiac Disease. So will we see an increasing trend of Celiac testing for those with diabetes? One article regarding some research at Ottawa Research Hospital says "A research team led by Dr. Fraser Scott recently screened 42 patients with type 1 diabetes and found that nearly half showed an abnormal immune response to wheat proteins." Dr. Scott suggests that "people with certain genes may be more likely to develop an over-reaction to wheat and possibly other foods in the gut and this may tip the balance with the immune system and make the body more likely to develop other immune problems, such as diabetes.”
This basically states that a gut reaction to gluten or wheat can dismantle our immune system entirely and leave us prone to other autoimmune diseases. So undiagnosed celiac can lead to the development of diabetes.
Why wait for the diabetes to be diagnosed before testing for celiac? Should we begin to make celiac testing a mandatory issue, such as sickle cell? If you are an American with European ancestry and there is a family history of diabetes, osteoperosis or cancer... should we offer tests for celiac the same way we offer immunizations to children? And with that in mind, don't you think its TIME we figure out an accurate, trust-worthy test for Celiac Disease?
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