<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Thanks to all those who replied. I learned a few interesting things: a)
"Only 1/3 of the specimens taken for CD are well oriented enough for
them to estimate all the parameters needed for histological evaluation
of CD, and close to 50% of the biopsies are unacceptable to diagnose cd
because of poor collection techniques.  These facts were presented by
Dr. Karol Horvath from Univ. of Maryland at the International Conference
on CD." b) It is recommended that at least a dozen samples are taken
(many doctors try to take only 3); c) "There are only a handful of labs
in the US that are competent to evaluate the tests for celiac..Tests
done at other labs are likely to return from 20 to 50 percent false
negative readings." Recommended labs are: IMMCO Diagnostics, 963 Kenmore
Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14223 716-876-5672, 1-800-537-TEST (8378),
[log in to unmask]

2) Immunopathology Laboratory, Dept. of Pathology, 5233 RCP, University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242,
phone (319/356-2688/8470)

3) U. of Maryland at Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) 1-410-706-1997: Pediatric
Gastroenterology & Nutrition Laboratory, UMAB/Bressler Research
Building, Room 10-047, 655 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201,
Attention: Karoly Horvath, MD, or Athba Hammed, Research Assistance.
Phone (410) 706-1997 or Fax (410) 328-1072.

4) Somebody suggested that the PCP could write to the insurance company
and explain the reasons to go out of network; "The other option is
pre-tax dollars.  Most employers have this, and you could have the $900
taken pretax out of your pay (add extra for prescriptions, other dr.
visits etc...).  You will end up paying about 35% less because you don't
have to pay taxes on the money."

Thanks.

Alessandra