<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Ms Sue Piggott <[log in to unmask]> said:

>Took her to her GP.  He ordered lots of tests, including what he said
>was a new one that replaces the antigliadin test . . .it's called
>antiendomysial.  It came back negative.
>
>I thought for a celiac, this is what you want.  A negative test
>result, showing you are eating gluten free.  However, her GP called
>one of the gastro "specialists" who said, oh if it's negative, then
>she's not really celiac.  She can eat gluten products.  She must have
>some other problem.

You are generally correct and the doctor is wrong, in my non-expert opinion.
See the DIAG-TST file at
 http://rdz.stjohns.edu/library/medic/celiac/index.html

The June article in the Journal of the American Dietitic Association (Vol. 97
Number 6 page 612) does cast some doubt on how accurate the EMA test is in
judging just how GF a celiac's diet is, when the diet is almost (but not
totally) GF.  In that study a group of celiacs on a GF diet added certified
wheat starch with a gluten content of under 2 mg per day.  Although many of the
celiacs suffered symptoms, their EMAs did not rise.

Bill Elkus
Los Angeles