GLUTEN FREE?

It has been said that the qualities we dislike most in others, are the same qualities we struggle with in our own lives, sort of that "I'm nothing like that" or "not me" denial.
For me, this sort of denial happened after being diagnosed as autoimmune. I read study after study that said most people with autoimmune diseases (especially Hoshimoto's Thyroiditis) will do better on gluten free diets. Despite everything I read, every class I went to, and every patient I saw improve, I refused to believe that my health would improve on a gluten free diet.
Some people go gluten free simply because it makes them feel better. All sorts of symptoms have been known to improve or completely go away on gluten free diets including headaches, rashes, gas, bloating, ADD, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle aches, and many more. It is easy to argue that gluten has been in our diets for hundred of years and not caused problems. But unlike a hundred years ago, wheat is typically stored for years before it reaches your table, and during those years endotoxins (that can wreak havoc on your body) form on the wheat. Unlike a hundred years ago wheat is genetically modified, grown in nutrient depleted soils, and over processed.
Some people go gluten free because they have celiac disease or have a food sensitivity to gluten. It seems to me in this instance, most patients want a specific lab test before they are willing to take their beloved gluten out of their diet completely. There are blood tests for IgA and IgG antigliadins, IgA transglutaminase, and endomysium antibodies. There is an excellent complete gluten sensitivity and gene panel (stool test) you can run yourself through enterolab.com. Most medical doctors will not diagnose celiac disease in a patient without doing an intestinal biopsy (surgically removing a piece of your bowel) because none of the lab tests are considered 100% accurate.
It is my opinion that the best diagnosis is made by COMPLETELY eliminating gluten from your diet for at least a month. It is important to be sure not to expose yourself to hidden sources of gluten while on an elimination diet. Sometimes patients feel better right away, other times no difference is felt until you try to put gluten back into your diet. If you are celiac you will likely have a pretty significant and immediate reaction when you add gluten back into your diet. If you are sensitive to gluten, it may take a couple exposures before you have a reaction. In either instance your gut will heal and improve on a gluten free diet.
Since the secret to living healthy with any autoimmune disease is improving your immune system, and most of your immune system can be found in your gut - it is only logical that staying gluten free could help strengthen your immune system. Since there is no cure for autoimmune disease; since the onset of autoimmune conditions can be delayed with a strong immune system; since everyone even without autoimmune conditions would be healthier with a stronger immune system - I think everyone should at least give the elimination/provocation diet a try.
NOTE: Some people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities have a type that will affect the nervous system more than the gut (just a few possibilities: ADD, irritability, brain fog). So when doing the elimination diet these people may not immediately notice their reaction to gluten.

NOTE: 6/1/11 Since the first publication of this, Cyrex Labratories has created an in depth blood panel for Celiac Disease that is probably the most diagnotic test available at this time.