<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> My 2 1/2 year old son just got diagnosed with celiac disease. I have been trying to read everything but still have a lot to learn. I also have some questions that I can't find the answers: 1) Since it is an inherited disorder -- does that mean that my husband or myself have it and 1) don't know it (ie. symptoms are mild) or 2) haven't been exposed to the trigger yet? Should we all get tested or will the antibodies not be present unless the celiac is active? Is there a way of telling if we are prone to developing this disease? 2) Are there varying degrees of being celiac? What I mean is could something like toaster crumbs affect one person and not another? My son doesn't have any the classic symptoms. In fact, his diagnosis was a result of trying to rule out what he did not have -- the doctors were trying to figure out why he hadn't gained any weight for over a year. Anyway it is very hard for me to tell if I have inadvertently fed him something with gluton. 3) How harmful to the villi is it if he slips occasionally, like me allowing him to eat McDonald's french fries once or twice a month? Thanks for any information that anyone can provide. Michele Kratzmeier -- [log in to unmask] ************************************************************* Michele L. Kratzmeier 861/4B40 Phone (301) 640-3079 email [log in to unmask] *************************************************************