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I got several responses to my question about the gluten & casein peptide
tests. However, they were all requests for a summary-- not anyone who's had
experience with this test. I've been searching for some information on this,
and here is what I have come accross so far. It's from the www.gfcfdiet.com
page on labs & testing:

"One method of testing for gluten and casein intolerance is determined by
the urine peptide test.  This test looks for abnormal peptides in the urine.
Some parents implement the diet before lab testing and see proof that the
diet works.  Other parents may feel the need for testing to substantiate
using the GFCF Diet as an intervention. The peptide test has been known to
report "false negatives" for the need to eliminate gluten and casein.  We
feel that because of the successful improvements seen in so many ASD
children after strict adherence to the diet, a test is not always necessary.
However, keep in mind that lab testing may help some parents make the
decision and stick with the GFCF Diet."

Urine Peptide Testing

The following was copied from the Autism Research Unit's website and
describes the urinary peptide testing:

"The biochemical research undertaken at the Unit subscribes to the theory
that autism is the consequence of a metabolic disorder, whereby certain
biologically active peptides derived mainly from gluten and/or casein in the
diet are not broken down correctly, and through problems with the
permeability of the gut, are present in the blood in much greater quantities
than would normally be expected. The presence of these compounds in the
blood would mean that they would tend to be collected in the kidneys and
dumped in the urine; hence, the peptide content of urine would be to some
extent, reflective of the content of the blood."


What is casomorphin?   Casomorphin (or caseomorhin) is a peptide derived
from the milk protein casein. Casein is one of the major proteins in the
milk of all mammals including cows, goats, and humans. Dr. Reichelt in
Norway, Dr. Cade at the University of Florida, and others found that urine
samples from people with autism, PDD, celiac disease, and schizophrenia
contained high amounts of the casomorphin peptide in the urine. We suspect
that these peptides may also be elevated in other disorders such as chronic
fatigue, fibromyalgia, and depression based on anecdotal reports of symptom
remission after exclusion of wheat and dairy.

What is gliadorphin? Gliadorphin (or gluteomorphin) is a peptide derived
from the wheat protein gluten. Other related grains such as rye, barley, and
oats also contain the sequence of amino acids found in gluten. Gliadorphin
is very similar to casomorphin. Gliadorphin has been verified by mass
spectrometry techniques to be present in urine samples of children with
autism. Continued text reference may be found at the following link:The
Great Plains Laboratory

* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *