In a message dated 10/22/00 12:13:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Deficienty may be called "malabsorption" and does lead to osteoporosis.
 That is why Dr. Alessio Fasano of Univ. of Maryland who lectures at
 the Seattle Gluten Intolerance conference said women so diagnosed
 should be tested for IgA and cut gluten out of the diet for improved
 bone status. >>


Important to note that the IgA test has a very very high false negative
rate....all of the celiac tests have a fairly high incidence of false
negative ('cept biopsy, but readings done by someone not experienced in
diagnosing celiac can give 'inconclusive' results)....it can be hard to get
an accurate diagnosis b/c of this.

<<digestive tract cancers in  family history, it is prudent to be
tested for celiac disease.>>

I second that.  Thestakes are too high to continue ingesting gluten, if in
fact, the person is celiac.  If the doc is refusing to test (which is
common), find another doc.  If testing is inconclusive or even negative for
celiac, but a trials of gf diet relieve symtoms - assume celiac and stay
religiously GF.  It's not worth the 1 in 7 risk of intestinal cancer (with a
50% suvival at 5 yrs) just to be able to ingest gluten.

:)
katherine in atl
newly gluten free

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