Our 4 year old is just starting out on a gluten free diet after a long chase of trying to determine what the real problem is with all her GI troubles. I think she does have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease ( first blood test was negative). However, has anyone else also had "small bowel bacterial overgrowth" perhaps caused by a wheat intolerance?
Thanks sooo much! Please respond.
Erica

I suspected I had a bacterial overgrowth (yeast) before I found out about gluten sensitivity. Tests didnt reveal an overgrowth but did reveal that I have no beneficial bacteria. I still wonder about this because how could I not have an overgrowth if there is nothing there to keep bad bacteria "in check".
I'm going to be seeing my GI soon for my biopsy results and I think I'll ask him about this.
Does your daughter have confirmed bacterial overgrowth?

Hi
Thanks for responding. Yes, she did get a positive test result from a breath test which is conducted 5 or 6 times at timed intervals following drinking lactulose. If you do have bacterial overgroth it was pretty painful for her leading to lots of cramps and belly pain. I wouldn't give it a try unless you really have to.
Erica

What were her symptoms and are they gone now?
I was tested for overgrowth in stool which obviously caused no pain but I dont know if the test was accurate. Who ran the test for you?

I thought the breath test is for lactose intolerance? How does it show bacterial overgrowth? Or is it that if you have bacterial overgrowth, the lactose intolerance test is more painful that it should be. I'm not sure I understand, as you can see.

Pauliina
lactose intolerant since age 7...

It's not unusual for bacterial overgrowth to accompany celiac disease. I remember one doctor whoo specializes in celiac disease saying that she always recommends a probiotic for new celiac patients just in case they have overgrowth. Also, when she gets patients who are not getting better it's almost never refractory sprue, which is very, very rare; it's always that the person is not being careful with gluten or has bacterial overgrowth.

richard

How do we go about getting this done for our child? Do we request it from her ped GI doctor? What exactly are the symptoms of this problem?

Overgrowth symptoms can be very similar to some celiac symptoms. I don't know the tests for it, but I do know it can be hard to diagnose (where have we heard that?).

I know that some celiac experts just automatically put patients on a probiotic without even testing. I am not a medical person and would not suggest you do this without consulting with your doctor, but you should push about it.

richard

So is this due to the damage in her intestines already? Or from her intolerance to wheat? Or is there a chance that she has this instead of celiac? (still hoping I guess)

If your child has had a positive test for celiac disease then it's pretty much a certain thing. Bacterial overgrowth is more common in people with celiac disease, but I can't tell you why scientifically.

richard

I was diagnosed with a candida (yeast) overgrowth and lack of healthy bacteria via stool tests. Even with anti-fungal meds, high dose of probiotics and a low carb diet the yeast won't get under control. I've only been gluten-free a few months and what my GI doc explained to me is that my immune system does not currently seem to be strong enough to keep the yeast under control. He's continuing the current treatment with the hopes that once my system starts healing from the damage of years of gluten that my immune system will be able to fight the overgrowth and get back to the normal balance of what should be in my gut.