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I need help. My best friend lives in Atlanta and already has been diagnosed
over the years with these autoimmune diseases & conditions:

Graves (thyroid)
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Terrible Multiple Allergies/Asthma since childhood, now requiring inhaler 2x
day
Fibromyalgia
Exhaustion and frequent sickness

I have in the past, espec when she was diagnosed with Graves about5+ years
ago, spoken of and sent her info re CD, about the bloodwork required for
testing. I don't think she ever read it, just gave it to whichever dr it was at the
time who did nothing. I have tried to tell her that I think she should be
tested for CD and I think she may now be willing to explore that possibility
because she is feeling so poorly while carrying on a full-time teaching schedule.

I know gastro Cynthia Rudert is in Atlanta and my inclination is to again
recommend Dr. Rudert to my friend. But does she take new patients?Does it take
years for an appointment? What is her contact info: phone, email? Do listmembers
have experience with Dr. Rudert and/or with other gastroenterologists in
Atlanta?

I'm sure Dr. Rudert knows the correct avenue for the most up-to-date testing
but I have lately read some conflicting info re the benefits/non-benefits of
some of the antibody testing in the blood panel and would like to know the
correct and most up-to-date info to tell my friend about blood work and about
labs. It has been more than 6 years since my own daughter was diagnosed and while
we get tested regularly, I don't have the answers at my fingertips. Simple
answers for her will be best and the easiest, of course, would just be to be able
to send her to Dr. Rudert and let the doctor take it from there!

Thank you and I will, eventually, summarize.

Bev, outside Chicago

* Please remember some posters may be WHEAT-FREE, but not GLUTEN-FREE *