<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> My family and I participated in a free blood screening for Celiac Disease performed jointly by the Center for Celiac Research, UMAB, and the Celiac Sprue Associations in Hampton Roads, Virginia. We participated in the study more as a sign of support for my sister-in- law, diagnosed with the disease in the early '80s, than out of any expectation that we might have the disease. Penny had encouraged us to participate as much because she knew our medical histories made us likely to be celiacs, as to advance celiac research. We are so lucky have benefited from her knowledge! My husband had entirely normal blood work, but mine was completely positive for celiac and our two son's both have suspicious results. One son, 11 yrs. old, was IgA-AGA deficient, while his 17 yr. old brother's IgA-AGA was elevated, both had elevated IgG-AGA, both proved negative for EMA(IF method), and both were recommended for biopsy. Dr. Tania Gerarduzzi and Pam King from Baltimore have been responsive to my emails but I hate to take them from their research efforts when my concerns can be fully answered by those of you who have been through the stage in which I find myself. My Questions: How do you convince a doctor to provide the biopsy when none of us show the traditional symptoms (diarrhea, weight loss[my younger son's red and white blood cell counts were normal])and I haven't yet had the biopsy myself? If I do manage to get my sons biopsied, if the biopsy proves negative does this mean that they don't have the disease? Maybe it just hasn't been triggered yet?! I believe myself to have Dermatitis Herpetiformis (not yet proven by biopsy), must I go to a dermatologist for diagnosis of this? I am awaiting my first visit with a gastroenterologist in late February and have already gotten a letter from my HMO questioning my eligibility for coverage. What luck have others had with HMO's and celiac? If we all were to go gluten free without official diagnosis, what would that mean for future health maintenance? Any advice those of you who have been down this road could give will be greatly appreciated! Jane Noga [log in to unmask] I will summarize!