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I would like to add my comments on the self-diagnosis issue.  It is bad enough
that most pediatricians do not really understand CD's symptoms, but also many
gastroenterologists get it wrong!  My son went undiagnosed for 6 years, despite
visting three different pediatric gastroenterologists (at major hospitals in
Chicago, Iowa and Los Angeles).  He had classic digestive symptoms, but since
he was (and is) tall for his age, they never even suspected CD, and as parents
we did not know enough to demand a biopsy.  The fourth gastroenterologist we
visited did the antibody blood test and immediately found the problem, later
confirmed by biopsy.

While I fully agree with Dr. Horvath that a biopsy is necessary for the
diagnosis, that assumes that you have a doctor who knows enough to suspect CD
and order an antibody test and/or a  biopsy.  Sadly, in my son's case, that
took six years.  Until the medical community's basic knowledge of Celiac
Disease generally improves, there will be a powerful incentive for
self-diagnosis.

Bill Elkus
Los Angeles