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

First and foremost:

     Stool testing DOES NOT WORK for celiac. It may
     work for other allergies but NOT for diagnosing
     celiac disease!

     Get a blood draw and have it tested by a lab
     that knows what they are looking for. If your
     doctor/insuranse will cover using Prometheus
     Labs, do that. If not, then have your doctor
     check the Prometheus Labs web site for the
     right protocols and direct his lab of choise
     run those tests.

Second:

     If your doctor says: " ... (he)wouldn't be able
     to make the diagnosis for celiac disease ... it
     can be hard to tell from that test in 2 year
     olds." he obviously knows NOTHING about celiac
     disease. He needs a quick education on the topic
     and you need a better doctor!

Third:

     After several blood draws before finally getting
     my son diagnosed, my recommendations for easing
     the blood-draw fears and pain:

     a) insist they use a 'butterfly' needle. It's
        extra fine and you feel the 'needle-pinch'
        less.

     b) Our doctors use a spray that numbs the spot
        where they are going to put the needle and
        that takes the sensation away.

     c) Then your part: engage your two year old by
        talking to her, smiling, making faces,
        whatever works to distract her from what the
        nurse is doing - keep your daughter looking at

        you. Get her to grab one of your fingers and
        stroke her hand during the draw. Before you
        know it, it's over!

Fourth: Lactose intolerance is one of the sysmptoms of
        celiac disease as are the loose, smelly bm and
        the 'failure to thrive'.

Finally:

     If she is diagnosed with celiac, have each member

     of your family tested on your next annual
check-up
     - or sooner if there are symptoms. The numbers
say
     that as many as 1 in 20 relatives of a person
     with celiac has celiac. The odds are high enough
     to justify the test.

Regards ...



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