With encouragement and help from several others on an international celiac discussion list, I have written this letter in hopes that it will be a help to those with celiac, aka celiac disease, aka celiac sprue. I have no medical qualifications other than listening to people on this discussion list and five years of research and experience with the problem. But several people, who know more than I, have checked this out and corrected any errors they could find. I hope the suggestions in this letter are pertinent to your interests. Several people have printed this letter off and given copies to their skeptical relatives and friends, who believe they are exaggerating the condition or that it's all in their head.

The question of testing for celiac disease and what doctor to use is of primary importance. There is a common opinion that only about 5 to 10 percent of the professionals in any discipline (doctors, lawyers, professors, mechanics or electricians) are competent. Gastroenterologists may see less than three true celiacs in a lifetime's practice. Many celiacs in this discussion group have had experience with going to several doctors, none of whom can seem to find what is wrong with them. They have been diagnosed as having one or more of a myriad of complaints -- or dismissed with: "Oh, it's just irritable bowel syndrome," or "It's all in your head." It is not!

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