<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Rosalie Jalbert <[log in to unmask]> said: >What about loss of cartilage? Could that be caused by CD? Both my sister >and mother have no cartilage left in their knees? My mom I can understand >but my sister is only 48 and the doctors are puzzled about her total loss >of carilage.She has both bones just grinding against each other. Articular cartilage is formed largely of a dense network of collagenous fibers. Anti-endomysium antibodies are increasingly accepted as diagnostic of celiac disease. Endomysium is largely composed of collagenous tissue. Articular pain often accompanies cd. I would be very surprised if there was not an antibody attack mounted against more collagenous tissues than the tissues in the gut. It seems reasonable that an autoimmune dynamic, and many are commonly associated with cd (which is increasingly seen as autoimmune as well) may well result from a dynamic that is sometimes called molecular mimcry. It seems quite plausible, if the above is accurate, that in some celiacs there would be complete destruction of the cartilage. That's just my opinion. Which, when combined with $1, will get you a cup of coffee in most places. Best Wishes, Ron Hoggan Calgary, Alberta, Canada