<<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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.