<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> If someone has a suspicion that they may have celiac disease it is important to identify that disease as it has specific implications for future health and provides some handles on which to judge healing. If celiac disease is identified then there is risk for other family members having it, as well as a risk to the patients health if the person does not adhere to the diet. On the other hand if someone has been shown not to have the damage of celiac disease, then there is not a risk for many of the metabolic complications of CD. The family risk may not apply and damage is not caused to the intestine by exposure to the gluten. Many people with stress induced bowel dysfunction may be improved by avoiding wheat as it is not very well digested in some, but does not cause damage. There are many controversial areas like schizophrenia and autism in which a damaging role of gluten has been suggested. A gluten free diet is not a cure -all but it is in the main a safe diet, so long as it is not combined with other extensive restrictions. It is expensive and can be a major endeavor, but everyone on this knowns that. Joe Murray