<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> > First, of all, it would be helpful to me to know how Charlie was diagnosed > as having celiac disease and if the diagnosis was solid. > > If, in fact, Charlie is that sensitive to gluten, however, I will predict > that either he does not have celiac disease, but rather a Type I immediate > hypersensitivity to gluten, one probably mediated by IgE antibodies, [snip] > I suspect that anyone who reacts with strong symptoms within a couple of > hours of eating gluten has the Type I response, which may or may not be > accompanied by their having true celiac disease. A Type I response could, I was diagnosed with CS in '94. In April of '94, I had some blood tests done that indicated I might have CS. I wasn't told anything about CS at this time, so my diet did not change, which included a lot of wheat and oats as I was trying to eat healthy to feel better. In May of '94 I underwent my first biopsy with extreme damage to the villi. In September of '94, after adhering to a strict GF diet for 3 months, the second biopsy was performed and CS was confirmed. At the time, I could eat a meal with gluten and might not feel the effects for a while and they weren't too bad. Now, almost two years later, a couple bites of a soft taco and within 15 to 30 minutes, I'm headed to the bathroom. When I was diagnosed with CS, both my doctor and the literature I was given said to avoid licking envelopes due to the gluten in glue. Since I got a sponge end tube for envelopes and self-stick stamps, I haven't tried licking envelopes, so I have no idea what kind of outward reaction I would have. But, I do know that I do have confirmed CS and now have immediate reactions to small ingestion's of gluten. ben <[log in to unmask]>