Gluten intolerance and infertility

November 1, 2009

One of my close relatives is struggling with infertility. I know we have

the genes for (what my doctor and I term) atypical celiac in our family; she

recently suffered a miscarriage after not being able to get pg at all for a

long time. I know gluten intolerance can cause fertility issues. I have

brought up the issue with her, briefly, and she was going to check with her

doctor about it when I did, but her fertility doctor is *really* *gung-ho*

about some particular, expensive treatment options for her and probably

doesn't believe in anything beyond strict celiac disease. I'm wondering if

there are people in this group who struggled with infertility related to

celiac, and, if so, if any of you have advice about whether or how I should

approach my relative about it. I'd like to hear about your experiences with

this (either to the group as a whole or in a private email exchange). I

haven't been in my relative's shoes and don't want to come across as

anything but loving. Is it my place to say anything more? If so, what

should it be?

Sally

November 2, 2009

Personally, I think it is your place to lovingly say whatever you can to help

your relative have the best possible outcome. If you tell her that is your

intention, that may help her hear you. She'll make her own decision in any

case. In the end, she'll take whatever route she wants, what you say.

Hopefully, she respects you enough to take you seriously. I hope so for her

sake as well as for that of her potential children.

My mother was the genetic link in my lineage for gluten intolerance. She

suffered menstrual irregularity and had several miscarriages, including an

ectopic pregnancy which is potentially life threatening for the mother. She was

also growing cysts (one of our shared symptoms) on her reproductive organs that

resulted in surgeries, thereby further reducing her chances of conception.

When I was conceived against all expectations, they were so desperate to bring

me to term (without knowing anything about gluten intolerance in the 50s) my

mother took one of the anti-miscarriage drugs that were popular at the time.

Fortunately, it wasn't thalidamide, but it could too easily have been! God only

knows what side effects today's drugs will have for the fetuses down the road.

They ALL have potential side effects. The one she took resulted 20 years later,

in the female babies developing exceptionally high rates of cervical cancer.

Again thankfully, I was spared. However, it motivates me to encourage you to

encourage her to deal with the root cause rather than just treating symptoms. I

know no one likes to have change doctors, but it could be necessary.

There are research papers in the scientific literature that address this issue.

If her doctor wants to know, the information is available! As you may know, one

of the symptoms of untreated gluten intolerance is potential interference with

the absorption of vitamin B12. Even without going as far as eliminating gluten

from the diet, just supplementing B12 has helped some women bring babies to

term.

If you can encourage her to think in terms of nurturing her own health first and

foremost, all the better. Her body needs to be well and strong to support the

growth of another human being. She'll need to be in good shape to cope with the

demands of mothering too, so if you can convince her to take a step back and

focus on creating a really strong foundation of health and vitality first,

everything is more likely to just fall into place. :-)

Deborah