Nikki0428
06-26-2009, 12:04 AM
Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder (http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/od/celiacdiseaseglossary/g/Autoimmunity.htm), is frequently present in people who also have other autoimmune conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and autoimmune liver disease. Less well known, however, is an association between celiac disease and alopecia areata (http://dermatology.about.com/cs/hairloss/a/alopeciaareata.htm).
What Is Known About Alopecia And Celiac Disease?
One of the first research studies linking alopecia with celiac disease was published in 1995. Italian doctors had noticed that several of their patients with alopecia also had celiac disease, and that in one of these patients -- a 14-year-old boy -- the missing hair on his scalp and body completely regrew after he adopted a gluten-free diet. This boy's case, and a few others, prompted the doctors to screen a large group of alopecia patients for celiac disease.
In fact, the doctors did find a relatively high rate of celiac disease in their patients - much greater than could be expected by chance. On the basis of this study, the doctors recommended that celiac disease antibody testing (http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/od/diagnosingceliacdisease/a/celiacdiagnosis.htm)should be performed in all patients with alopecia areata. Since then, there have been other medical research reports of celiac disease in association with alopecia areata.
Hope this helps!
What Is Known About Alopecia And Celiac Disease?
One of the first research studies linking alopecia with celiac disease was published in 1995. Italian doctors had noticed that several of their patients with alopecia also had celiac disease, and that in one of these patients -- a 14-year-old boy -- the missing hair on his scalp and body completely regrew after he adopted a gluten-free diet. This boy's case, and a few others, prompted the doctors to screen a large group of alopecia patients for celiac disease.
In fact, the doctors did find a relatively high rate of celiac disease in their patients - much greater than could be expected by chance. On the basis of this study, the doctors recommended that celiac disease antibody testing (http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/od/diagnosingceliacdisease/a/celiacdiagnosis.htm)should be performed in all patients with alopecia areata. Since then, there have been other medical research reports of celiac disease in association with alopecia areata.
Hope this helps!