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

> What is the value of the biopsy?  If the diet works, what further important
> information could the biopsy reveal?  Is there any _danger_ in _not_
> having the biopsy?

The biggest danger we've encountered so far is gastroenterologists
who refuse to believe they're looking at a sprue patient unless they
have a positive biopsy report in their hands, even though a positive
blood test and an improvement after gluten withdrawal is diagnostic.
That happened to us at Stanford; the "doctors" actually told my
wife to try eating a normal diet for two or three months to prove
to her that it was all in her head (they didn't even examine her
first).

If you're at a phase where the jejunal lining is still going to
be visibly damaged by gluten, you might want to go ahead and get
a biopsy done just to have an absolute, rock-solid diagnosis--it
could save you headaches later on.  If you've already been gluten-
free for several months, then go ahead and ask your doctor about it,
but he or she probably won't think it's urgent.

                                        eh