It's scary isn't it? Even well-trained US docs have to keep up with the research or they'll have no idea.

I think I have my head around the tests I need. You mention joint pain, that's another thing that's really bothering me at the moment. I'm 34 and I feel so achy (ankles, knees, hips - I'm especially noticing lately). Makes me feel twice my age. And so tired. I keep feeling like I find something and feel better and then something else comes along. I tested negative to celiac, though i still think that there is a lot they don't know about the spectrum of gluten intolerance, so so far I don't have any autoimmune diseases that I know about. I don't know though, since I'm obviously extremely intolerant to gluten and I live strictly gluten free as if I have celiac. It seems everyone on the celiac boards has hashimoto's disease too.

The effects of the steroids (necessary as they are to you) that you experience is making me wonder about the health of a dear friend who was on them for asthma years ago (not sure now as we've been out of touch). It can be hard balancing everything!