<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I, like many of you, am self diagnosed, and I find the diet works and keeps me well. When I told my doctor I had figured out CD was the problem (her diagnosis had been Irritable Bowel Syndrome and she had suggested I avoid broccoli and cabbage) she said "I'm glad you are feeling better." When I pressed the issue, hoping she would consider this diagnosis for others with the same symptoms, she shut down, ending the discussion by telling me there was nothing more she could do for me that I hadn't done myself by going on a GF diet for life. In her opinion the tests would have been problematic, expensive, and possibly unpleasant. I noticed she did not mark anything down on my chart about CD and asked why. She said there was no need to. I asked what would happen if I was admitted to a hospital. She told me to remind her then, and she would see that I was served a gluten free diet. She is no longer my doctor, but I doubt my new ones will be any better (I'm in an HMO). Yet, despite her lack of receptiveness, I think she was right about the diet being the only thing available for help, and I am on the right course since there is no drug therapy for this condition. Which leads me to my theory of why CD is not on American doctors' radar screens. I don't know about other states, but in California physicians are not required to take continuing education courses, so they rely heavily on pharmaceutical reps (or reading journals if they have time) to update their education. From what I understand, medical schools do not spend enough time covering nutrition. I don't think it can be underemphasized how much physicians rely on pharmaceutical companies for their continuing education. Also, pharmaceutical companies spend a lot on advertising campaigns to get consumers to ask doctors for products, which forces the doctors to learn about the newest drugs and diagnostic tools. An example: the huge amounts of money spent to educate doctors and consumers about osteoporosis as soon as expensive drug therapies were developed for treatment. I believe it is because CD does not have a drug therapy that American doctors are unlikely to be educated about it. It's hard for health professionals and pharmaceutical companies to make money off of diagnosing this disease. My theory is that the key to getting better diagnostic tools and physicians trained about CD in the U.S. is figuring out a way for pharmaceutical companies and health professionals to make big bucks from diagnosis. I hate feeling so cynical. Please tell me I am wrong. It would make me feel better about our health care system.