Your regular family doc can order the blood work. The markers are IgA and IgG, if I remember. Both were elevated in my son. After meeting with two gastros, we chose NOT to have the upper endoscopy/biopsy and instead used a lab in Dallas that uses stool sampling to diagnose, and also offers DNA analysis. The cost for all was around $400.
We chose against the biopsy mainly because the patient has to eat gluten for 4-8 weeks prior, or the test will not be accurate. I'd eliminated all/most gluten from Jr.'s diet after the blood test, and he was doing MUCH better. When I reintroduced gluten for the biopsy, he turned into a walking zombie, leading me to search for an alternative.
It's important to note that celiac disease is just one aspect of gluten sensitivity. There are other genes that can be involved, and just because one does not have celiac disease does NOT mean one is not gluten sensitive. In Jr.'s case, his main symptom was chronic tiredness, though in retrospect, there were digestive issues that we did not recognize at the time. In my case, arthritis in my fingers and knees disappeared, as did over 20 pounds.
Here's some info on blood tests that I just googled:
diagnostictesting - jccglutenfree
Or you could proably skip the whole blood thing and just go with the stool and/or DNA test. The various tests and costs are outlined on their site
http://enterolab.com
You do not need a doctor's order to use EnteroLab. The results and interpretation are sent directly to you. You can then take them to your personal doc if you choose.
The book
Dangerous Grains has lots of useful, scientifcally researched info on the link between gluten and auto-immune diseases. I highly recommend it.
Amazon.com: Dangerous Grains: Why Gluten Cereal Grains May Be Hazardous To Your Health (0735918331297): James Braly M.D., Ron Hoggan M.A., Jonathan Wright: Books: Reviews, Prices & more@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PBzLR22QL.@@AMEPARAM@@51PBzLR22QL