I have decided to do the enterolab test and I want to find all the foods that irritate me. I want to do the A & C panels, but once I get the results and avoid those foods do you think I can figure out on my own if yeast is a problem? Or would you do the yeast panel as well.
What are all the tests from enterolab did you do?
I am GF and I know I can't eat tomatoes, green beans, lettuce, ice cream, and raw vegtables. I haven't given up all dairy, all I have is just butter and some chocolate. I know I need to give it up and but all my co-workers bring in all these treats to work and I can't have any of it, it's depressing. I need my own treat! And the holidays are coming!!
I am trying to get my frame of mind in the right place to go totally DF too and to start a bland diet for a couple of weeks and go from there. My plan is to get the enterolab tests done, eliminate that food, go off Apriso and do the Pepto Bismol for 8 weeks and see where I am then.
Thanks,
Barb
Enterolab tests
Moderators: Rosie, JFR, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Enterolab tests
DX with MS, Hashimothyroiditis, Hypothyroid, Raynauds, Lymphocytic Colitis
Hi Barb,
Experience has shown that yeast doesn't seem to be a permanent food-sensitivity. That is to say, virtually all of us find that even if we test positive to the Enterolab yeast test, after we manage to control our symptoms, and our intestines heal, we seem to be able to tolerate yeast without any problem.
I had been GF and DF for over 3 years when I had some tests done at Enterolab, so I didn't test for gluten or casein antibodies. I tested for soy, eggs, and yeast, and fortunately, they were all negative. I also had a fecal fat test done, which showed that I still had a slight amount of damage to my small intestine, and I did the gene test, which showed that I had a celiac gene, and a non-celiac gluten-sensitivity gene. Obviously, the new test for the 11 antigenic foods wasn't available back then, or I would have ordered it, because I wasn't sure about corn.
There are several great-tasting gluten-free, dairy-free ice creams and similar products available, that are made from coconut milk.
Your plan sounds as though it should work.
Good luck with this,
Tex
Experience has shown that yeast doesn't seem to be a permanent food-sensitivity. That is to say, virtually all of us find that even if we test positive to the Enterolab yeast test, after we manage to control our symptoms, and our intestines heal, we seem to be able to tolerate yeast without any problem.
I had been GF and DF for over 3 years when I had some tests done at Enterolab, so I didn't test for gluten or casein antibodies. I tested for soy, eggs, and yeast, and fortunately, they were all negative. I also had a fecal fat test done, which showed that I still had a slight amount of damage to my small intestine, and I did the gene test, which showed that I had a celiac gene, and a non-celiac gluten-sensitivity gene. Obviously, the new test for the 11 antigenic foods wasn't available back then, or I would have ordered it, because I wasn't sure about corn.
There are several great-tasting gluten-free, dairy-free ice creams and similar products available, that are made from coconut milk.
Your plan sounds as though it should work.
Good luck with this,
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.
Barb,
Enjoy Life also has candy bars, dark chocolate, light chocolate, and rice krispy bars like the Nestle's Crunch. I honestly like them as much as a regular candy bar. I usually treat myself to a square once a day. I use the chips in my cookies and can't tell the difference there either. Just bring your own to work and you'll probably be just as satisfied, but watch your co-workers, they might take them.
Nancy
Enjoy Life also has candy bars, dark chocolate, light chocolate, and rice krispy bars like the Nestle's Crunch. I honestly like them as much as a regular candy bar. I usually treat myself to a square once a day. I use the chips in my cookies and can't tell the difference there either. Just bring your own to work and you'll probably be just as satisfied, but watch your co-workers, they might take them.
Nancy
I got my enterolab results back, I have a sensitivity to, gliadin 44 units, casein 18 units, chicken eggs 10 units, soy 13 units, corn, chicken, tuna, white potato, and cashew. I cried until I gave myself a headache.
What about duck eggs?
What about amish organic turkey? (I have one in my freezer)
What about potato starch that's in my snacks and GF flours?
What about soy lectin that's is just about everything?
What about other nightshades?
It said oats are ok, does that mean regular oats?
I've lost enough weight and now it is going to be even harder. I've counted on eggs for a quick meal, if they are right on the border what about 2-3 times a week?
I am working a lot of hours right now, and I need a healthy/anything go to snack.
I am not on any medication, and it is hard to determine what bothers me I had been eating eggs with no problem and I can eat a large bowl of popcorn with nothing on it and it didn't bother me either!!!
Thanks.
Barb
What about duck eggs?
What about amish organic turkey? (I have one in my freezer)
What about potato starch that's in my snacks and GF flours?
What about soy lectin that's is just about everything?
What about other nightshades?
It said oats are ok, does that mean regular oats?
I've lost enough weight and now it is going to be even harder. I've counted on eggs for a quick meal, if they are right on the border what about 2-3 times a week?
I am working a lot of hours right now, and I need a healthy/anything go to snack.
I am not on any medication, and it is hard to determine what bothers me I had been eating eggs with no problem and I can eat a large bowl of popcorn with nothing on it and it didn't bother me either!!!
Thanks.
Barb
Hi Barb,
I realize such news is disappointing, but remember that you are no different physically, than you were the day before you sent in the sample. The only difference is that now you know the facts, so that you can deal with the problems.
Since the egg result was minimally positive, there's a reasonable chance that duck eggs may be OK, and after your intestines heal for a year or two, you may even be able to eat chicken eggs again - it may depend on how well you heal.
Amish organic turkey should be safe.
Small amounts of potato starch may not be a problem, but eliminating it 100% is the fastest way to get your health back. Like the eggs, the odds are good that after you heal for a couple of years, potatoes may be safe for you again.
Anything "soy", including soy lecithin, is bad stuff for anyone sensitive to soy, and most people in that situation have to absolutely avoid it, 100% of the time.
There's a good chance that the other nightshades may not be a problem for you. Nightshades as a group are not necessarily a problem for people who have MC. The alkaloids that are associated with nightshades are more of a problem for people with RA, and possibly other issues, but that class of chemicals does not necessarily cause issues for someone with MC.
If the test shows oats to be OK, that means pure oats, certified to be free of wheat and any other sources of gluten. Oats are notorious for cross-contamination problems, and in the past, even widely-advertised brands of certified oats, (such as McCain's Irish Oats), have been found to have a significant amount of gluten, when spot-checked on store shelves. Quaker Oats, in that same test, tested relatively low, even though they are not certified to be GF. Most suppliers are probably stricter with their standards now, since that study was done, so presumably if you stick with oats that are certified to be pure, you should be OK. Note, however, that quite a few of us on this board, (including myself), are definitely sensitive to even pure oats.
The problem with trying to use foods to which you are sensitive, (such as eggs), is that while you might not seem to react, (IOW, no clinical symptoms), you may continue to accumulate internal damage to your intestines, which will prevent them from healing. Some members who are sensitive to eggs, find that they can tolerate them in baked goods, as long as they don't overdo it. Since your egg test result was barely positive, yes, it's possible that you might be able to eat them in a rotation diet, (for example, once every 3 or more days), but sometimes a minimal positive result indicates a sensitivity just as severe as a much higher result number. It's difficult to say.
The main point to remember is that if we don't eliminate all of our food-sensitivities, our intestines can't completely heal, so we never get back to a stable level of remission. If you are going to experiment with eggs, you need to monitor any symptoms very carefully, because just because we don't get D from a food, doesn't mean that we don't get other symptoms that show that we are sensitive to it.
Hopefully, other members can suggest some good snacks, but basically, it appears that you can safely eat pork, beef, lamb, goat, turkey, duck, rice, sweet potatoes, tapioca, quinoa, almonds, and possibly several other tree nuts, among other things. One good snack, for example, is almond butter on something like Rice Snaps. Be sure to check the ingredient list, though, to make sure the ones you try don't contain any ingredients that you are avoiding. Nut butters on slices of apple make good snacks, also, if you can tolerate apples. Frozen bananas make good desert-type snacks, (peel them and put them in a zip-lock bag, before freezing). There are all sorts of snack bars, available at health food stores, but be sure to read the labels, before buying. And there's always jerky, or pemmican, but again, be sure to read the label before buying. At least you still have plenty of options - some members can only eat a few foods, without reacting. Here's some info on the Rice Snaps, if you want to check them out:
http://edwardandsons.com/es_shop_snaps.itml
You'll be fine, because now you're armed with solid information concerning the foods that you need to avoid. Good luck with this, and please don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind.
Tex
I realize such news is disappointing, but remember that you are no different physically, than you were the day before you sent in the sample. The only difference is that now you know the facts, so that you can deal with the problems.
Since the egg result was minimally positive, there's a reasonable chance that duck eggs may be OK, and after your intestines heal for a year or two, you may even be able to eat chicken eggs again - it may depend on how well you heal.
Amish organic turkey should be safe.
Small amounts of potato starch may not be a problem, but eliminating it 100% is the fastest way to get your health back. Like the eggs, the odds are good that after you heal for a couple of years, potatoes may be safe for you again.
Anything "soy", including soy lecithin, is bad stuff for anyone sensitive to soy, and most people in that situation have to absolutely avoid it, 100% of the time.
There's a good chance that the other nightshades may not be a problem for you. Nightshades as a group are not necessarily a problem for people who have MC. The alkaloids that are associated with nightshades are more of a problem for people with RA, and possibly other issues, but that class of chemicals does not necessarily cause issues for someone with MC.
If the test shows oats to be OK, that means pure oats, certified to be free of wheat and any other sources of gluten. Oats are notorious for cross-contamination problems, and in the past, even widely-advertised brands of certified oats, (such as McCain's Irish Oats), have been found to have a significant amount of gluten, when spot-checked on store shelves. Quaker Oats, in that same test, tested relatively low, even though they are not certified to be GF. Most suppliers are probably stricter with their standards now, since that study was done, so presumably if you stick with oats that are certified to be pure, you should be OK. Note, however, that quite a few of us on this board, (including myself), are definitely sensitive to even pure oats.
The problem with trying to use foods to which you are sensitive, (such as eggs), is that while you might not seem to react, (IOW, no clinical symptoms), you may continue to accumulate internal damage to your intestines, which will prevent them from healing. Some members who are sensitive to eggs, find that they can tolerate them in baked goods, as long as they don't overdo it. Since your egg test result was barely positive, yes, it's possible that you might be able to eat them in a rotation diet, (for example, once every 3 or more days), but sometimes a minimal positive result indicates a sensitivity just as severe as a much higher result number. It's difficult to say.
The main point to remember is that if we don't eliminate all of our food-sensitivities, our intestines can't completely heal, so we never get back to a stable level of remission. If you are going to experiment with eggs, you need to monitor any symptoms very carefully, because just because we don't get D from a food, doesn't mean that we don't get other symptoms that show that we are sensitive to it.Hopefully, other members can suggest some good snacks, but basically, it appears that you can safely eat pork, beef, lamb, goat, turkey, duck, rice, sweet potatoes, tapioca, quinoa, almonds, and possibly several other tree nuts, among other things. One good snack, for example, is almond butter on something like Rice Snaps. Be sure to check the ingredient list, though, to make sure the ones you try don't contain any ingredients that you are avoiding. Nut butters on slices of apple make good snacks, also, if you can tolerate apples. Frozen bananas make good desert-type snacks, (peel them and put them in a zip-lock bag, before freezing). There are all sorts of snack bars, available at health food stores, but be sure to read the labels, before buying. And there's always jerky, or pemmican, but again, be sure to read the label before buying. At least you still have plenty of options - some members can only eat a few foods, without reacting. Here's some info on the Rice Snaps, if you want to check them out:
http://edwardandsons.com/es_shop_snaps.itml
You'll be fine, because now you're armed with solid information concerning the foods that you need to avoid. Good luck with this, and please don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind.
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.
Barb,
All my sympathies on "losing" eggs. I was eating them till I got my Enterolab results, and was shocked that I had antibodies, because they did not seem to be bothering me. However, I felt noticeably better when I eliminated them. So... I am hoping that I will be able to add them back after more healing, but have decided not to push my luck.
You will find a new go-to convenience food - more than one.
I believe that the relative rankings of those Enterolab additional tests are important to keep in mind, though we don't have a lot of experience with them, as a group, as of yet. So - absolutely, cut the most reactive foods, and perhaps the intermediate ones, until you're feeling reliably and consistently good. I cut everything I showed reaction to on that 11-item panel, and will retry the less reactive ones sometime in the new year. Oats were my worst reactivity (we are all so different!), and I play to stay away from them indefinitely. But I will re-attempt my 'moderately' reactive nut, almonds, by spring. And of course, I eat pistachios and hazelnuts and pecans from time to time, and don't have any tests to guide me...
Almond butter packets may work for you, and there are a couple of brands. They're a nice mix of carbs, protein and fats, and a good number of calories for an emergency. (And very purse-friendly!)
I think just removing soy will make a huge difference for you. It did for me - I scored 'under' the value the Enterolab considers reactive, but am pretty sure I react, and am avoiding all legumes now. WHAT a difference! I had a few chickpeas a few weeks ago - nothing disastrous, but I didn't feel as well the next day. I believe I was putting up with a low level of feeling awful, all the time, even before I got so sick with MC.
Best of luck, and congratulations on doing the testing and gaining insight into how to accelerate and maintain your recovery and healing,
Sara
All my sympathies on "losing" eggs. I was eating them till I got my Enterolab results, and was shocked that I had antibodies, because they did not seem to be bothering me. However, I felt noticeably better when I eliminated them. So... I am hoping that I will be able to add them back after more healing, but have decided not to push my luck.
You will find a new go-to convenience food - more than one.
I believe that the relative rankings of those Enterolab additional tests are important to keep in mind, though we don't have a lot of experience with them, as a group, as of yet. So - absolutely, cut the most reactive foods, and perhaps the intermediate ones, until you're feeling reliably and consistently good. I cut everything I showed reaction to on that 11-item panel, and will retry the less reactive ones sometime in the new year. Oats were my worst reactivity (we are all so different!), and I play to stay away from them indefinitely. But I will re-attempt my 'moderately' reactive nut, almonds, by spring. And of course, I eat pistachios and hazelnuts and pecans from time to time, and don't have any tests to guide me...
Almond butter packets may work for you, and there are a couple of brands. They're a nice mix of carbs, protein and fats, and a good number of calories for an emergency. (And very purse-friendly!)
I think just removing soy will make a huge difference for you. It did for me - I scored 'under' the value the Enterolab considers reactive, but am pretty sure I react, and am avoiding all legumes now. WHAT a difference! I had a few chickpeas a few weeks ago - nothing disastrous, but I didn't feel as well the next day. I believe I was putting up with a low level of feeling awful, all the time, even before I got so sick with MC.
Best of luck, and congratulations on doing the testing and gaining insight into how to accelerate and maintain your recovery and healing,
Sara
I am avoiding all my sensitivities, and it is soo hard and challenging. I found a grain to pop like popcorn, sorghum, and I hope it is not bad, it's going to be my replacement for popcorn.
I think I've read here that legumes should be avoided, is this true? I read somewhere on the internet that if you peel the skin off canned chickpeas that they are a little easier to digest, so I did that to make hummus and it seemed ok, no reaction.What about peanuts and peanut butter, I have been avoiding them, but they didn't seem to bother me?
I had blood test done for food allergies before enterolab, do you think I can disregard them? It said I was highly allergic to buckwheat, not to casein or gluten, most of the other foods on my list were either low to very low, so I don't know what to think.
Thanks,
Barb
I think I've read here that legumes should be avoided, is this true? I read somewhere on the internet that if you peel the skin off canned chickpeas that they are a little easier to digest, so I did that to make hummus and it seemed ok, no reaction.What about peanuts and peanut butter, I have been avoiding them, but they didn't seem to bother me?
I had blood test done for food allergies before enterolab, do you think I can disregard them? It said I was highly allergic to buckwheat, not to casein or gluten, most of the other foods on my list were either low to very low, so I don't know what to think.
Thanks,
Barb
DX with MS, Hashimothyroiditis, Hypothyroid, Raynauds, Lymphocytic Colitis
Most of us who are sensitive to soy, are also sensitive to most legumes. It's always possible that you may be an exception to that general rule.Barb wrote:I think I've read here that legumes should be avoided, is this true?
Peanuts are legumes, so virtually all of us who are sensitive to soy, have to avoid them. Just to show how different we can all be, I'm not sensitive to soy, but peanuts cause me to have D, (and general GI distress), anyway.
Barb wrote:I had blood test done for food allergies before enterolab, do you think I can disregard them? It said I was highly allergic to buckwheat, not to casein or gluten, most of the other foods on my list were either low to very low, so I don't know what to think.
Those blood tests are somewhat suitable for detecting allergies, (assuming that they were based on the detection of IgE-based antibodies), but they have virtually no bearing on digestive issues, (unless you happen to have mastocytic enterocolotis, or some other form of mast cell issues.
IOW, if the foods that showed positive results on that blood test cause you to have breathing problems, or watery eyes, runny nose, a skin rash, itching, etc., then you might need to avoid them. Otherwise, they probably won't cause any MC-related symptoms.
Sorghum is related to corn, (and distantly, to wheat), but it's storage proteins have enough molecular dissimilarity, when compared with corn, (or wheat), that most people who have problems with them, can tolerate sorghum OK. I've never seen sorghum sold for popping, (though some feedlots roast it or pop it for livestock rations). Where on earth did you find that product, and what was the brand name? I'd like to try that. I used to be a big popcorn fan, too, but I lost the urge, after I had to avoid if for a couple of years during my recovery. For some reason or other, when I tried to reintroduced it into my diet, later, I could tolerate popcorn OK, but it no longer appealed to me.
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.
Tex, the blood tests I had done were IgG antibody, and IgE antibody levels, allergic/immune responses. It came with a food rotation plan. It tested for inhalants as well, those were negative.
I came across sorghum popping grain somewhere in my quest for recipes, this is were I purchased it.
http://www.amazon.com/Popping-Sorghum-G ... 910&sr=8-4
This is the home page for it.
http://shop.justpoppin.com/Organic-Popp ... p_135.html
Mine should be delivered monday!!! I can't wait, I miss popcorn the most!
I also found a replacement for soy sauce, it is Organic Coconut Aminos by Coconut Secret, it's coconut sap and salt. I have used it a little and it's pretty good.
It is so hard to find anything in the stores I can eat, but I am slowly finding recipes from different web sites. Just not finding the time to make them, yet.
One recipe is healthy and replaces a candy bar, I will post it in the appropriate place.
Thanks for the rice cracker web site, I did find them at a local store I hadn't been to.
Barb
I came across sorghum popping grain somewhere in my quest for recipes, this is were I purchased it.
http://www.amazon.com/Popping-Sorghum-G ... 910&sr=8-4
This is the home page for it.
http://shop.justpoppin.com/Organic-Popp ... p_135.html
Mine should be delivered monday!!! I can't wait, I miss popcorn the most!
I also found a replacement for soy sauce, it is Organic Coconut Aminos by Coconut Secret, it's coconut sap and salt. I have used it a little and it's pretty good.
It is so hard to find anything in the stores I can eat, but I am slowly finding recipes from different web sites. Just not finding the time to make them, yet.
One recipe is healthy and replaces a candy bar, I will post it in the appropriate place.
Thanks for the rice cracker web site, I did find them at a local store I hadn't been to.
Barb
DX with MS, Hashimothyroiditis, Hypothyroid, Raynauds, Lymphocytic Colitis
Question about retesting from enterolab, how many of you retested after a year? I asked them how long I would have to wait before I can try eggs and chicken again, they said to retest in a year and see if the levels have come down enough to try them.
I am starting to eat a little bit of raw vegtables, like carrots, rutabaga, and lettuce, so far so good.
The sorghum popping grain tastes even better than popcorn, even the unpopped grain is good. There is a learning curve in popping it.
Barb
I am starting to eat a little bit of raw vegtables, like carrots, rutabaga, and lettuce, so far so good.
The sorghum popping grain tastes even better than popcorn, even the unpopped grain is good. There is a learning curve in popping it.
Barb
DX with MS, Hashimothyroiditis, Hypothyroid, Raynauds, Lymphocytic Colitis
Barb, I retested after a year as my fat absorption was very high and it was recommended by Enterolab. I hadn't originally tested dairy, soy or eggs so tested them as well as retesting gluten. My gluten and fat absorption had dropped significantly. I found out at that time I was positive to dairy, soy and eggs but have had no obvious reactions to them so am continuing to include them in my diet but monitoring. I was worrying about some acid reflux but that has improved significantly. I am in remission by diet alone.
lab tests in.... :(
Hello!
My lab results are in and very saddening.
Anti-gliadin IgA - 62 units
Cows milk- 18 units
Chicken/egg- 21 units
Soy- 22 units
Mean value 11 antigenic foods-30 units
Reactivity 3+.....rice, beef, tuna, chicken, oat!!!!
2+....corn, pork, almond
1+....white potato,cashew, walnut
Ok guys....I have been eating chicken (everyday), I eat nuts, drink almond milk, eat almond butter. My diet has consisted of baked pears, almond bread w/almond butter for breakfast. Lunch-chicken, over-cooked green beans, carrots, or squash. Dinner-white fish, over-cooked veggies mentioned before. Snacks....Rice Krispies (just purchased 6 boxes from amazon!), chex rice cereal with almond milk, and gluten free homemade no sugar, dairy & soy free treats.
Do you have suggestions as to how to turn all this around?
Thank you,
Linda
My lab results are in and very saddening.
Anti-gliadin IgA - 62 units
Cows milk- 18 units
Chicken/egg- 21 units
Soy- 22 units
Mean value 11 antigenic foods-30 units
Reactivity 3+.....rice, beef, tuna, chicken, oat!!!!
2+....corn, pork, almond
1+....white potato,cashew, walnut
Ok guys....I have been eating chicken (everyday), I eat nuts, drink almond milk, eat almond butter. My diet has consisted of baked pears, almond bread w/almond butter for breakfast. Lunch-chicken, over-cooked green beans, carrots, or squash. Dinner-white fish, over-cooked veggies mentioned before. Snacks....Rice Krispies (just purchased 6 boxes from amazon!), chex rice cereal with almond milk, and gluten free homemade no sugar, dairy & soy free treats.
Do you have suggestions as to how to turn all this around?
Thank you,
Linda