<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. I have consulted my daughters pediatrician, and we decided to give her the two antibody tests (IGA and IGG). He doubts that is her problem, but he thinks it is time to check it out. And, by the way, he knew all about celiac and the tests to perform, I was sooo proud of him. Krista Below are some of the replies that I received: There is a simple endomysial antibody blood test that can be done on your daughter to confirm whether or not she is likely to be a candidate for this condition. It is 90% accurate and about the only way to confirm whether or not your child should be eating GF. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Since it is recommended that all parents, children and siblings of Celiacs be tested, I am surprised that she has not been. I would suggest that she have the Anti Gliadin, Anti Endomyceal and the Anti Reticulin tests done. Those are the ones suggested by Dr, Joseph Murray and Dr. Al Fasano. If your physician has questions, go to www.ajcn.org. and copy Dr. Murray's article on Celiac Disease in March 1999. Take it to your doctor. (or your daughter's doctor). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please do not put her on a GF diet until she has been diagnosed. If she is on a GF diet the test will not be positive. if you are anywhere near Louisville, KY, we are having a blood screening for first and second degree relatives of biopsy diagnosed celiacs on September 18. You could bring her in and for $15.00 she could have the test. This is being done by the University of Maryland Celiac Research Group. Both Dr. Fasano and Dr. Horvath from the Univ of Maryland will be here to speak to the group at the seminar. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I see no harm in having your child tested for celiac - especially with the blood test that is available. I am a celiac and have another son who was diagnosed at the age of 18 months, he is now 5 yrs old. I am currently having my 7 yr old blood-tested. The GF diet may have a negative result on your child if she is tested though, you may want to check into this. From what I understand if a person has been on a GF diet they may not get a true result from the testing. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have a biopsy diagnosed 2 year old celiac and had similar questions about his 4 year old brother. Our Ped GI (who is informed and wonderful) said to have the older brother blood serum tested every few years or when symptoms develop. One year after getting this advice and having negative test results he is failing to grow and I am thinking about the short stature symptom. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ why not just go gf and let her get totally used to the diet? She won't crave it later on. My dr didn't biopsy me when she diagnosed me a year and a half ago, because she thought my symptoms are so clear. What's the pt? There are no meds. The only reason you may want a dr to write a note is for tax purposes, medical tax deduction. You might be able to get that w/o the test. Certainly you can get one for yourself. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Children in both Holland and Italy are now diagnosed AUTOMATICALLY at age 2 years in Holland and 6 years in Italy. The IgG and IgA blood screening tests are done. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Your daughter does not even approach being GF. Being almost GF is like being a little bit pregnant...... Were I in your shoes, I would load the child up on bagels and pasta for about a month or two. Then I would take her to a physician really familiar with celiac disease and have her evaluated completely. Eating gluten is the trigger. Eating GF will diminish symptoms and diminish the accuracy of the tests. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have a 5 year old son who has had the blood tests done twice. Unfortunately the results were mixed (both times) and not conclusive. My son does not have any of the typical symptoms. My doctor (Peter Green) has told me that I should wait a year and repeat the blood tests on my son. Dr. Green also said that he has seen the same mixed results turn positive in growing children. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ My daughter was diagnosed early last year, and the three different celiac experts we consulted all recommend that ALL first degree relatives of biopsy diagnosed celiacs be screened with the blood tests. Those with negative blood tests should be retested every couple of years.