Comments on: Can African Americans Have Celiac Disease?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:32:39 +0000

Amazing! I’ve been suffering from Kidney stones and gastro problem. Dr. Pothan (Indian doctor) was finally able to figureit out. I can’t tell you how relieved and stressed I’ve been. I couldn’t get my weight down despite working out vigorously. I’m completely worn out by the entire events over the past 7 months, but thank God I’ve actually found someone and a diagnosis that can be treated.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:59:34 +0000

I am SO glad to know that I am not alone. I am an African American who has celiac disease. It took over ten years of misdiagnosis and several hospital visits before I was finally diagnosed.

By: Trudy

Trudy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:25:52 +0000

Thank you for this article!!!! I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a year ago after almost 20 years of suffering. I was told it was IBS, or lactose intolerance or all in my head. Finally I got fed up and researched my symptoms and demanded a test for Celiac. I was told it was a waste of time and money and that It was a European “white” disease. My family has a history of stomach problems, fatigue, eczema, and severe vitamin deficiencies, so I persisted and demanded the test. When my GI specialist called to tell me the test came back positive, he sounded shocked. Now, it also my mission to get that word out that no matter what race you are, you can still have Celiac Disease.

By: Kate D.

Kate D. — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:49:12 +0000

Maybe the Indian doctors don’t have the same biases American doctors have. Indian skin colors vary from light to very .dark but I believe they are considered caucasian.

I have a young client who happens to be african-american and quite a bit overweight.(50+lbs) She’s only 13 and that makes me think that perhaps it is more than family eating habits. Perhaps a undiagnosed food allergy. Considering most americans are mixed genetics and the genes do not filter evenly anything is possible.

BTW I have never tested positive on gluten blood antigen tests but through elimination diets it has become obvious I have an allergy to gluten and even “gluten-free” oatmeal. The gluten triggers vertigo (meniere”s disease). Takes about 8 -20 hours for a reaction.

By: Latasha pearson

Latasha pearson — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:30:12 +0000

MY daughter is 8 months old.. We are also African American but not completely. It is my possible believe that genetics can show up anywhere. It hurts me to know that doctors go to school for ,many years studying disorders and are still hypothetically biased when it comes to race.If you trace back history my family’s decent is from other countries. my daughter has had three procedures done all pointing toward celiac disease and the doctors are stil denying the fact this is what she has..I am bothered by this because to me that is just like saying african americans can not have blue eyes lol..I am a perfect example of that been proven wrong as well. I just hope that technology can improve itself eventually.. All of my daughters symptons are pointing toward Celiac. If you are reading my reply and have questions or concerns feel free to contact me..

By: Tiffany Janes

Tiffany Janes — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:46:26 +0000

Kimberly, I am beginning to think we all need to find doctors that were trained in India! My Indian dermatologist, was instrumental in figuring it out I had anemia (my only celiac symptom) and knew all about celiac, once I told him I was being tested for it. Two other docs missed the anemia and they were both trained in the U.S. Very time I meet someone with a story about an incredible doctor, the docs always turn out to be Indian!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:39:37 +0000

I was just diagnosed in April of 2009 with celiac disease. I was diagnosed with about every digestive disorder before a doctor from India looked at my chart one time and said i look as if i have celiac disease. I had been to several doctors with a copay balance of about 3,000 dollars. It has been a life changing experience for me. This time last year a weighed about 340 pounds as of today October 31, 2009 i am about 230 pounds. Celiac is very serious and should be be made knowledgeable to all races.

By: Ms. D

Ms. D — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:26:17 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. Would you believe I was told the same thing by my specialist TODAY! I was not aware that this was a disease that was not commonly found in African-Americans so I was in disbelief when the doctor informed me of this fact. I believe the reason why it isn’t found is simply because many doctors refuse to look past our exterior and actually look at us as human beings with a complex genetic makeup. He would have never have known that my great-grandfather was Caucasian by looking at me. However, if he would have seen other members of my family, he would have thought otherwise. When will doctors learn to not look at skin color alone. We are one race…Human! Therefore, we all have the potential to suffer from the same diseases. I too couldn’t believe that my specialist was resistant to move forward in testing me for Celiac Disease. I requested that the genetic test be conducted first and then the biopsy. I have suffered for too long to not try all options. Please continue to pass on the word to all you know that this is something that could be affecting you or someone you know. Upon removing gluten from my diet, I immediately felt better after over five years of suffering. Praise be to God!

By: Learia C

Learia C — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:18:14 +0000

I’m an African American women, been very ill after radia active iodine treatment for hyperactive thyroid while on active duty, US Army. I beleive the root of my problems is celiec. I heard the same thing about this only being for Europeans. I feel completely normal when not on wheat. Thank for this article. It helps to know I’m not alone.

I go for testing tomarrow, 18 May 2009

By: Dawn L

Dawn L — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:46:30 +0000

Thank you for posting this! We are an adoptive family. My husband and I are caucasian, but our children are african-american. I am suspecting that my youngest, at only 2 years old, has celiac. I am going to remember this story, when I take him in and ask for him to be tested. No one should be as constipated as this poor child is!