If you have Celiac disease does your immediate family need to be tested for it?

I was just diagnosed with Celiac disease. My doctor said it wasn't hereditary, but all the websites say that it is and my family should be tested. My doctor also said no further testing is needed, just watch my diet. I'm not so sure about this. Shouldn't I have an endoscopy to see if there is any damage?

I'm thinking maybe you need to see another doctor for a second opinion. Often, doctors aren't entirely knowledgeable about all medical things and Celiac is one of those often misunderstood diseases. Talk to your insurance carrier or go online and find a doctor who treats patients with Celiac and see them. Your insurance will pay for a second opinion, you just need to see what the parameters are.
Celiac is genetic, and lots of family members may or may not have it. Diet may be the thing that works for you, for some patients other things are necessary.
Talk to someone who sees this disease all the time, and you'll get better answers and you'll feel more comfortable.
Good luck

An endoscopic exam is the standard way to diagnose celiac disease as blood tests can give false positives and negatives. Also, Celiac Disease can be hereditary. My recommendation is find a doctor that understands celiac disease. But your doctor is right, if you have it and go on a gluten free diet, you will be fine.

I would insist on a referral to a gastroenterologist for a second opinion. However, if you are wanting accurate results from an endoscopy exam, do not change to the gluten free diet until AFTER the exam.

Kudos to your physician for even considering that you have Celiac Disease. If it turns out that you DO have Celiac Disease, I would let your family know so that they can be tested. It does run in families.

Good luck!

How were u diagnosed, by blood test? Those are generally fairly reliable, they do result in some false negatives but rarely false positives.
You could do the endoscopy but u would need to be eating gluten before the test fo rit to be accurate.

There really is no further testing but u do need to STRICTLY follow the gluten free diet for life. Routine endoscopies (every 5-10 years are generally recommended for Celiacs because they need to assure the body is healing while on the GF diet, and also Celiacs are more likely to develop things like colon cancer, etc.) might be needed.

Celiac is EXTREMELY GENETIC AND HEREDITARY! Your doc is an idiot! 97% of people with Celiac carry the genes for it, DLQ-2 and DLQ-8 (I believe is their names). There are a VERY few Celiacs who do not carry the genes, but those may not be full blown Celiac, they may be gluten intolerant. In other words, if u have it, one of your parents has the genes and is likely to get it. All sibligns, parents, and even grandparents are suggested to get tested bc like I said, 97% of ppl with Celiac carry the genes.

FOr more info use these links or feel free to email me:
www.csaceliacs.org
www.celiac.com
www.celiac.org
www.celiaccentral.org