simpson - I agree with everything everyone has said. It is a complicated and poorly understood condition by most GPs so you are lucky your GP is on side and has suggested this possibility.
Coeliac condition is not an allergy but an autoimmune condition caused by gluten in the diet. Eventualy it can lead to lactose intolerance as well. It has a definite genetic linkage down the generations.
Autoimmune linkage in the family makes total sense. I used to have terrible joint pain, poor skin condition, as well as 'IBS type symptoms' in my guts. I used to feel very weak at times and generally unwell almost all the time frm my early 30s. It got worse as I got older.
The standard test is a blood test and gut biopsy. However, not all coeliacs test positive. I tested negative for coeliac in blood test and gut biopsy. However, after I had had the tests I removed all sources of gluten and also lactose from my diet had a dramatic improving effect on my health about 2 years ago. Some people do test negative but are actually coeliac and a total exclusion diet with a dramatic improvement in symptoms is a sure sign.
I am 47 now, have lost 2 stone in weight and feel the same as when I got married 21 years ago. My friends say I look ten years younger.
The only thing that slightly foxes me about your DD is the soya intolerance as soya does not contain gluten or lactose. I drink soya milk for that reason. The Coeliac Society is a real mine of information.
The only thing I would say is dont remove gluten or lactose from your DDs diet until she has had the tests. Even if tests are negative - try strict exclusion afterwards.
Sainsbury and Holland & Barret have a good range of gluten free and lactose free foods. I cook my own gluten free bread and cakes with Doves Farm gluten free flour. Dont despair, a lot of people hae the condition without realising it.
becstarlitsea - I strongly agree about indigenous diet. My father is a farmer and I am firmly of the opinion that our very high gluten wheat flours have increased the incidence of gluten intolerance in recent years. In fact, I firmly believe that people characterised as 'wheat intolerant' are really just intolerant to modern 'high gluten' wheat. I know that when I was younger and working with my Dad we started growing extreme high gluten wheats. It became the main objective as we were paid much more.
When I used to go to southern Europe I noticed my symptoms declined and am convinced that this is due to the much lower gluten wheat they use to make bread.