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I joined this internet group as my three year old son was diagnosed
with Celiac Disease one year ago.   At the time, my son's GI
Pediatrician suggested I get the blood test screening done, in
particular gliadin IgA.  Upon hearing this, my Doctor said it wasn't
necessary as I wasn't thin enough.  I am 5'3 and 130 pounds.  I never
heard of CD until this time but have for years been plagued with rashes
or blisters from exposure to cosmetics, chronic anemia, fine hair,
migraines.  I went to an allergist and was told I am allergic to wheat,
milk, eggs, soy, and chemicals, whatever that means.  Also, for years I
have been plagued with bloating, and various problems with stools.
Because of my son I reduced my intake of gluten though not entirely.
My question to all of you ,,, Were you all thin as a rail prior to your
diagnosis and get heavier after the gluten free diet?  Also, is there
varying degrees of illness, so to speak, as I was never as ill as my
child was prior to his diagnosis.  Are you born with this disease and
it creeps up at different rates, or can you get it at different ages?
Incidently, my grandfather died from stomach cancer, and all of his
children have very "bad" gas, stools etc, but none are pencil thin.
Strangely, enough, those with the seemingly bad stomachs are quite
short.  I can live with that, however!  How do you get a Doctor in an
HMO to refer you?   Furthermore, if I can get a referal to a GI
specialist, will they have the same hesitant response to testing this
disease?  My son's GI specialist strongly recommends it, but he is a
Pediatrician and not my main physician.  Lastly, if the blood tests are
unreliable when you follow the GF diet, how long does one have to be
off the diet for it to show positive results?  I have been following
the diet for the most part because of my son and then realized that I
feel so much better.  I would like to confirm it however and not
needlessly be on it.