1.   The biopsies studied in this group showed no histological improvement despite the patients claiming to adhere strictly to the gluten free diet.

2.   In addition, all parameters remained abnormal in patients not adhering to their gluten free diet, or in whom villous atrophy had not resolved.

3.   The present pathological description of coeliac disease may need to be revised and treatment with a gluten free diet offered to symptomatic patients with minor forms of enteropathy.

4.   Small intestinal biopsy specimens were histologically normal in the coeliac disease patients on a gluten free diet and in the symptomatic control group.

5.   In three coeliac disease patients serum carnitine was measured serially on gluten containing and gluten free diets for at least one year on each of the diets.

6.   In all three, serum total, free, and acyl carnitine concentrations while on a gluten containing diet were lower in comparison with a gluten free diet.

7.   This is unsatisfactory because these patients can both manage and respond to a gluten free diet.