<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thanks to all who so generously replied - I received 25 responses altogether. The overwhelming majority of people suggested "going with my gut" (pun intended in most cases!), and keeping him gluten free for now. Many people said their children's symptoms were very similar to Carter's, and many had no known family history of celiac, so diagnosis took a long, painful time. Two people suggested staying on gluten and getting a biopsy before committing to a gluten-free diet. We have chosen some middle ground, after meeting with our pediatrician last week. We will see a pediatric GI doc who specializes in celiac next week. For this week only, we have re-introduced a small amount of gluten (Cheerios and pasta at dinnertime) in order to have the bloodwork done. Regardless of the results, we will return to a gluten-free diet until he is older. But as long as he hadn't been gluten-free for very long yet, and we were able to get in to the specialist, we will give the bloodwork a chance. If it's positive, I won't feel the need to re-visit a gluten challenge ever. (The current gluten challenge is going horribly, by the way, and I'm not even sure we will make it through the week - he's been awake 2-hour stretches in the middle of the night the last two nights, and he's had at least one temper tantrum a day again.) Below are a few excerpts - so many were so similar (which is great - there was definitely a consensus), I will not post them all. It was notable to me that at least a half-dozen people specifically mentioned that their child had eczema similar to what Carter has experienced; and a few others noted that the dairy allergy cleared up once on the gf diet, which I do remember reading about. That's encouraging! Thanks again to all. -Kim in Chicago ---------- Sounds like you have done some great detective work. My son was introduced to his first gluten containing product (cheerios) when he was 10 months old. He was finally diagnosed at three years after many, many, many problems. Interestingly, he had eczema on his torso that cleared up finally once he went GF. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate going GF, but it is understandable to desire the formal diagnosis. ---------- I have read that it is best to keep children who are at risk for allergies or celiac off of highly allergenic foods for as long as possible. I have done this with one of my children and she is very healthy. I have another baby and I plan to do the same with her. --------- I don't think its ever too early to go gf. Especially with the family history of celiac. --------- I would say do gluten free until he is big enough that you would feel comfortable doing all the testing. Then put him back on gluten and do the testing. --------- If I could have avoided the pain and stress he went thru, I certainly would have. I read your email and thought that you know the answer - you have a happy baby when off gluten and a miserable baby when he's on gluten. I'd take him off gluten (may help his milk intolerance as well). When he's older and able to communicate better - you can test him then if you want. And maybe they'll have better testing by then. I think you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain by going gf. --------- Maybe you should find another doctor who can help you get to a diagnosis more quickly. I'd hate to see your child suffer for a few years before being officially diagnosed. And, the earlier he goes gluten free if necessary, the easier it will be for him. --------- I recommend having your child biopsied now to see if there is any damage to his intestines before he is GF for too long. I would not recommend reintroducing the food ever (not even after he is 2). The proof is in the changes you see, don't let anyone make you think you imagined them. * Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CEL-KIDS List *