Entero Lab Test/dairy & egg question

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DebE13
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Entero Lab Test/dairy & egg question

Post by DebE13 »

Ok- my test kit is in the mail and I read it's ok to be GF when doing the test. I've been GF for about a month so there's no issues with that. But I also have eliminate all dairy from my diet. Do I need to eat dairy/eggs before I have the basic panel A done or doesn't it matter? The soy portion shouldn't matter because I have regular and chocolate soy milk everyday.

I'm sure there are instructions that come with the kit, but I'm just wondering.
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tex
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Post by tex »

The gluten test will still be reliable for at least a year after removing gluten from the diet. The other tests should be fine at a month, but if you eliminate casein for more than a couple of months, your results may depend on how high your antibody level was to begin with. The longer we react, the higher the antibody level, in general, so "mature" reactions tend to allow more leeway for testing.

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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.
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Lesley
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Post by Lesley »

I had been DF for about 6 weeks before I tested. They told me it was fine (I was ready to go on an ice cream binge), and I tested casein sensitive.
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DebE13
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Post by DebE13 »

Is the testing for dairy (casein) totally different from lactose? Obviously there is a difference, hence the different names :wink: but I'm curious since I've been tested twice for lactose intolerance through hydrogen breath tests. The first time they didn't even have me finish the test because the numbers were so high. Then for some reason the doctor's notes were conflicting... I was, then I wasn't. I never got a straight answer on that one but was told to use Lactaid and see if that helped. So I did. I couldn't tell if it made a difference or not so went with the idea that I wasn't because it was easier.

A few years later I had another one done and the results were negative. However, when I had a food sensitivity panel done via a blood test I showed milk sensitivy to milk and dairy products. I did an elimination diet for 4 months and haven't drank milk since. I lost the taste for it and prefer soy milk (I hope I don't have to eliminate that from my diet). So I really don't know through testing but have noticed the immediate bloating & mild rumbling when I eat cheese and other dairy products. Ice cream and yogurt is a big no. I suppose I already have my answer but it seems wrong to be from Wisconsin and not be able to eat cheese!
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tex
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Post by tex »

DebE wrote:Is the testing for dairy (casein) totally different from lactose?
Yes. The IgA antibody tests used by Enterolab are extremely specific. They will only detect the specific protein peptide that they are designed to detect. For example, the anti-gliadin antibody test will detect the alpha gliadin peptide found in wheat gluten, but it will not detect any of the other wheat peptides, nor will it detect the hordein peptides in barley, nor the secalin peptides in rye. Lactose is a sugar, and it is impossible for sugars to cause an autoimmune reaction, (only proteins can trigger autoimmune reactions), so none of the Enterolab tests will detect lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is simply caused by a deficiency of the lactase enzyme, resulting in the inability to split the lactose molecule, so the lactose passes, undigested, into the colon, where it is fermented by bacteria, causing gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea. Lactase enzyme is produced in the brush border region of the small intestine, and all types of enteritis, (inflammation of the intestines), cause the small intestine to lose the ability to produce adequate amounts of lactase. If the inflammation continues, other enzymes will begin to become deficient, also - that's why chronic inflammation eventually leads to problems digesting all types of sugars, carbs, etc. When the inflammation is resolved, the ability to produce adequate amounts of all those enzymes will be restored, but lactase is the last one to be restored. Anyway, that's the reason why lactose intolerance often comes and goes - it depends on the level of intestinal inflammation present at any given time. Hard cheeses are loaded with casein, but have only small amounts of lactose. Yogurt is also loaded with casein, but is low on lactose.

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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.
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Post by sarkin »

Deb, I had been dairy-free for at least two months (somehow I think three?) before testing, and my result was clearly positive.

I totally sympathize about soy milk - but just know that the variety and quality of the other 'milks' out there is great and getting better all the time. (Almond, coconut, and hemp, as well as rice...) Here's hoping soy is still your friend.

Best of luck with the testing!

Sara
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Post by Fish2575 »

Deb, I had been off of Dairy for 18 months and tested positive for antibodies. Tex is right, it depends on the person, but sounds like you are okay to test without reintroducing. Seems like you already know on your own that it causes you problems! I'll cross my fingers for you for no soy antibodies! Susie
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