Genetic Lottery
posted on 16/10/2009
So, we had Reed tested for gluten sensitivity a few weeks ago because Alana suffers with it, and while she doesn't carry the actual celiac gene, she does carry the gene for gluten sensitivity.
Anyway, we just assumed Reed would be fine as Matt has never had any food intolerance and we guessed Alana's condition would be a recessive one. Then the results arrived and it turns out Reed does have Alana's gluten sensitivity gene.
But the biggest surprise? He also has the gene for Celiac Sprue! Celiac being one of the big bads in digestive diseases - and poor little Reed has inherited this gene off his Daddy who has never had a symptom in his life! This gene has been hidden in the Lynch or Flanagan history for who knows how long - most likely making people sick without them ever knowing the cause. (Children have a 50% chance of inheriting this gene off the carrier parent.)
Celiac is very sneaky like that!
So a huge surprise. We did not expect that result AT ALL! Reed is now at very high risk for developing full blown Celiac Disease (Alana can't actually get this condition as you need the gene for it to develop) so now the entire family is going gluten free.
Genetics are fascinating!
Reed Alexander Lynch 
Last Updated: 16/10/2009