<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> FINAL SUMMARY RESPONSE on CD, GSE, & transient intolerance I received 11 responses, three of which merely asked for this summary, and an extensive response from Bill Elkus, who asked Karoly Horvath, M.D. Ph.D. of the University of Maryland to respond. I join Bill in expressing immense gratitude to Dr. Horvath for his helpful (and extensive) research on our behalf. His entire response can be found at the end of this summary. Dr. Horvath identified five cases of transient gluten intolerance when doing research between 1977 and 1987 for his Ph.D. thesis. All were children, who were diagnosed by positive biopsy, treated with GF diet for at least one year, followed by one year on a normal diet. Repeat biopsies after two or more years proved negative. Dr. Horvath listed 16 published references. They had in common a limited number of cases of transient gluten intolerance, all found in children. Some references were focused on criteria for diagnosis of transient gluten intolerance. Bill Elkus summarized by saying it is very rare and much less common than Celiac Disease. One person knows someone who has been diagnosed with both CD and wheat allergy; and believes the allergy does not cause villi damage. Another person endured the allergy testing (lots of skin pricks, applications of potential allergens) and tested positive for wheat allergy, along with other foods; then found headaches, sinus congestion, nails and energy improved on a wheat-free diet. A third person also said you can be allergic and have CD, but the villi damage comes from the CD, not the allergy. Five responses addressed the resistance of physicians to order appropriate tests. Everyone agreed that physicians don't know enough about CD, and two know or are related to current med school students who report learning a lot about CD in their classes. Three advised searching for the right doctor or educating a doctor to get more comprehensive tests. One found that assertiveness counts with HMO physicians. Two indicated they had no problem getting the tests, but added they have done a lot to educate their physicians. Three reported disappointing experiences because doctors did not order the proper tests before they started the GF diet. One person pointed out the effectiveness of this list in educating ourselves and one another. Two mentioned how little money there is in treating CD, since drug companies are not involved. (Many other diseases which can be treated by drugs get lots more attention due to research funding available via drug company sponsors.) Thanks very much to everyone who responded. Following is the full text of Dr. Horvath's response: [This information is in a post made to the list on March] [7, 1998. It is located in the LOG9803A archive file. ]