Enterolab Testing for Gluten Sensitivity

[humbird753]

I was going to ask this question, but Tex I think you answered it in another thread that Leah started. I was going to ask if it was too late to have Enterolab testing for food sensitivities. I am glad to hear that since it's been only about a year since I went GF/DF/SF, and also the fact I have on occasion (rarely) cheated, that a test will still show if I am gluten sensitive. I spent so much money on ND and supplements, that I held off on getting the Enterolab tests, but feel I am in a better financial situation now and can now go through with it.

Another question I have is - Are all of us gluten sensitive, or is it possible for some of us to just have other food sensitivities? (Even while I'm asking this question, I think of all I have read about gluten and still don't believe it is something anyone should be consuming). Just wondering if others have been tested and found they were not sensitive to gluten, but were to casein, soy, and other foods.

There's something else I feel I should understand better but am having a hard time wrapping my head around, and that is the mast cell issues. I will continue to re-read Chapter 14 of Tex's book and search on this site to hopefully understand it better. Am I wrong in assuming that ALL of us have mast cell degranulation which leads to leaky gut, and then that leads to all other autoimmune issues including MC?

Paula

[tex]

Hi Paula,

If I recall correctly, EnteroLab does not recommend testing if gluten has been avoided for over a year, but IMO, the test is pretty reliable up to 2 years after gluten has been withdrawn from the diet. I have a hunch that virtually all of us get enough accidental gluten cross-contamination to maintain some level of antibody production by our immune system. I had been GF over 10 years when I ordered a test in December of last year (2011), and it was strongly positive, proving that I had cross-contamination problems.

According to Dr. Fine's research, only 69% of people with MC are sensitive to gluten, but looking at the test results from the members of this board, only a few percent of the people tested have received a negative test result for gluten, and at least 2 or 3 of those are incapable of producing normal amounts of IgA, so the test does not work for them. One member who tested negative also tested negative for a diagnosis of MC, so it's no wonder that she tested negative to gluten sensitivity. You can see the test results here.

A lot more research needs to be done before anyone will have a really good understanding of the role that mast cell activation plays in MC, but I've seen enough research data to be convinced that anyone (everyone) who has food sensitivities definitely has increased intestinal permeability. Research shows that chronic stress in the presence of mast cells, can cause leaky gut, and yes, that makes us vulnerable to the development of other autoimmune issues, if we don't control our symptoms by resolving the leaky gut issue. The details of all that can be found in chapter 16, as you mentioned.

Tex

[d'libarian]

First, Happy New Year to you, Paula! And to you, Tex!

Tex said:

According to Dr. Fine's research, only 69% of people with MC are sensitive to gluten, but looking at the test results from the members of this board, only a few percent of the people tested have received a negative test result for gluten,

IMO, when looking at the statistics derived from the members here, we need to keep in mind that we are self-selected and self-reporting so the statistics could very easily be skewed. This board is so very useful to those of us with gluten and/or many food sensitivities that we may be more likely to report. On the other hand, those who may only have one or two sensitivies that are easier to handle, may use this board as a reference but don't bother to report or otherwise communicate.

le

[tex]

Hi Linda,

I agree. And in addition to that, there is a relatively high percentage of the population who refuse to acknowledge the possibility that they might be gluten-sensitive, and many/most of those folks don't like to associate with others who continually discuss avoiding gluten, because subconsciously perhaps, they realize that they are probably in denial and they choose to remain that way. They just aren't willing to change their diet, and so they choose to eschew registration to a board such as this.

Happy New Year!

Tex

[humbird753]

Thank you both for responding to these questions. There seems to be a lot to figure out with this disease. My understanding should become clearer as time goes by.

Paula