I have LC and have been gluten free for about 2 months and on the paleo diet for about 2 weeks. The gluten free diet didn't seem to be working, but the paleo diet (only meat, fruits, and vegetables) is. I really think my issue is dairy (and really hope it is not anything else).
What is people's opinion of Enterolab? Positive and negative comments welcome.
I am about to spend the $550+ for Enterolab Panel A + C which is their most comprehensive stool test. If the tests are accurate that seems to be the easiest way to see what I can and cannot eat.
I guess I don't have any reason to doubt the validity of the tests, apart from being naturally skeptical, and the fact that my insurance doesn't cover the Enterolab tests is a sign that the insurance company doesn't support the tests.
opinion on Enterolab?
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trialanderror
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:20 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
Hi,
They are legitimate. They're fully accredited by the State of Texas, and their results are accurate and reliable. We trust them, and so do many, many thousands of other clients, over the years.
That said, Panel C is a new set of tests, and to be honest, I haven't yet convinced myself that it's as useful as the other tests. For my money, I would choose either panel B or Panel A, (depending on whether or not you're interested in seeing which genes you have that predispose to gluten-sensitivity or celiac disease). If money is no object, then the option that you mentioned includes more tests, of course.
Some insurance companies cover their tests, but many don't - mostly because most gastroenterologists won't order the tests, because they have the mistaken belief that diet has nothing to do with treating MC, so they don't believe in stool tests. They prefer the obsolete and worthless blood tests.
I agree with your observation about diet - most of us are also sensitive to casein, (in all dairy products), and soy, so the paleo diet is more appropriate than a plain GF diet. If you need a grain, most of us can tolerate rice, or corn, (rice is the safest), but of course, healthwise, it's best to avoid all the grains, just as the paleo diet stipulates.
Good luck with your testing.
Tex
They are legitimate. They're fully accredited by the State of Texas, and their results are accurate and reliable. We trust them, and so do many, many thousands of other clients, over the years.
That said, Panel C is a new set of tests, and to be honest, I haven't yet convinced myself that it's as useful as the other tests. For my money, I would choose either panel B or Panel A, (depending on whether or not you're interested in seeing which genes you have that predispose to gluten-sensitivity or celiac disease). If money is no object, then the option that you mentioned includes more tests, of course.
Some insurance companies cover their tests, but many don't - mostly because most gastroenterologists won't order the tests, because they have the mistaken belief that diet has nothing to do with treating MC, so they don't believe in stool tests. They prefer the obsolete and worthless blood tests.
I agree with your observation about diet - most of us are also sensitive to casein, (in all dairy products), and soy, so the paleo diet is more appropriate than a plain GF diet. If you need a grain, most of us can tolerate rice, or corn, (rice is the safest), but of course, healthwise, it's best to avoid all the grains, just as the paleo diet stipulates.
Good luck with your testing.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I added the 'Antigenic Foods Panel' to my Enterolab order when it first came out. The results are less conclusive than for the "biggie" foods (gluten, eggs, dairy, soy, yeast, etc.) - for example, I learned that oats are my most reactive of those 11 foods; my least reactive food was white potatoes; cashews are better for me than almonds, and walnuts are the worst... but my results didn't indicate that I absolutely can or cannot eat those. I'm not sorry I did the test - I am avoiding almonds, for now, in the hope that any minor troubles they give me will go away in time, and I can use them again in the future. And I was already avoiding oats, and will continue to do so - it's good to know that a little rice and corn aren't likely to give me trouble, should I be in a situation where avoiding grains is infeasible.
I think the fat malabsorption test and anti-tissue transglutaminase test were more important for me to know (my fecal fat test results was normal; my anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies were elevated - indicating autoimmune response).
I also found the genetic tests valuable. I was surprised that I had a celiac gene, as well as a gene that predisposes to gluten sensitivity. It might be useful for my brother & his family to know this, some day, but for now - it helps me in diet adherence and communicating with people that, "no, a little bit is NOT ok."
For testing those other 11 antigenic foods, and many other common foods and ingredients, I plan to do MRT testing, later this fall.
I hope this is helpful in your decision making - even if you decide differently from what I would do in your shoes!
Best,
Sara
I think the fat malabsorption test and anti-tissue transglutaminase test were more important for me to know (my fecal fat test results was normal; my anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies were elevated - indicating autoimmune response).
I also found the genetic tests valuable. I was surprised that I had a celiac gene, as well as a gene that predisposes to gluten sensitivity. It might be useful for my brother & his family to know this, some day, but for now - it helps me in diet adherence and communicating with people that, "no, a little bit is NOT ok."
For testing those other 11 antigenic foods, and many other common foods and ingredients, I plan to do MRT testing, later this fall.
I hope this is helpful in your decision making - even if you decide differently from what I would do in your shoes!
Best,
Sara
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trialanderror
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:20 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
It's not impossible of course, but it's pretty rare for someone with MC to be sensitive to casein, but not be sensitive to gluten - that would put you in a mighty elite group, if true.
The purpose of the gene test is not to determine gluten-sensitivity - it's to determine a relative level of susceptibility to various other food-sensitivities and autoimmune diseases that are related to gluten-sensitivity. Certain genes confer increased protection against certain issues, and elevated susceptibility to others. You can certainly get by without the gene tests, of course - the results won't tell you which foods to eat - they're for longer range planning purposes, especially for your descendents.
Tex
The purpose of the gene test is not to determine gluten-sensitivity - it's to determine a relative level of susceptibility to various other food-sensitivities and autoimmune diseases that are related to gluten-sensitivity. Certain genes confer increased protection against certain issues, and elevated susceptibility to others. You can certainly get by without the gene tests, of course - the results won't tell you which foods to eat - they're for longer range planning purposes, especially for your descendents.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The testing antibodies will tell you whether you can tolerate casein as well as gluten. If you don't have children (or extra money to spend), it is not essential. It is a very good price for that particular test, compared to other independent labs.
In addition to the "official" celiac genes, the enterolab gene test does seem to identify some people who are "more likely" to be predisposed to multiple intolerances, or more severe ones. Of course, you know how severe your reactions are just by reacting - unfortunately! I wish I had found this out while my parents were still living, because I believe my mother at least had some issues that were related to gluten intolerance, never diagnosed - not the only issue, but in my opinion a factor in her debility in her later years.
Let us know what you choose,
Sara
In addition to the "official" celiac genes, the enterolab gene test does seem to identify some people who are "more likely" to be predisposed to multiple intolerances, or more severe ones. Of course, you know how severe your reactions are just by reacting - unfortunately! I wish I had found this out while my parents were still living, because I believe my mother at least had some issues that were related to gluten intolerance, never diagnosed - not the only issue, but in my opinion a factor in her debility in her later years.
Let us know what you choose,
Sara