EnteroLab Testing

[tex]

Hi All,

Another member has asked for an estimate of how many of us use EnteroLab testing. So here's a short poll that will hopefully establish an estimate of what percentage of members use EnteroLab testing, and whether or not those who ordered tests feel that the results have been helpful.

Thanks,
Tex

[Deb]

It was helpful for me. I tested VERY high for gluten and high for dairy, soy and eggs. I was able to eliminate gluten and go into remission. Deb

[megamoxie]

It has been helpful for me. It confirmed foods that I knew were problems, I learned about sensitivities of which I was unaware, and I feel better now that I have eliminated all items to which I react. I feel that the tests were expensive, but worth every penny.

[LindyLou]

The test was not helpful at all for me. It showed no reactivity to dairy or soy and gluten was within range. That said, I do not know if I have an IGA insufficiency or not but I definitly have reactions to all three.

[UkuleleLady]

It has been helpful for me. It confirmed foods that I knew were problems, I learned about sensitivities of which I was unaware, and I feel better now that I have eliminated all items to which I react. I feel that the tests were expensive, but worth every penny.

Exactly my sentiments. But I understand it must be frustrating for those who have the Iga deficiency.

[kd025]

I haven't ordered the tests mostly because I started tinkering with my diet long before I really knew what was going on. And I spent about $200 already on an IgG food intolerance test through my doctor's office (again, before I knew anything about food intolerance testing). Had I started with a clean slate, I don't know what I would've done. Testing is definitely not cheap, so I might have still done the elimination diet anyway. :)

Kristen

[ldubois7]

I would have never realized all the intolerances I have without the test.

It was my first step towards recovery after many months of misery.

[kayare]

The testing was a real eye-opener for me! I would have never suspected all of my intolerances. It was money well spent for me.

Kathy

[jmh]

There wasn't a category for me ... I have submitted my specimen, but haven't received my results yet. Should come the week after New Year's. And I can't wait!

Judy

[Lilja]

Hi,

Would the test give reliable results as to gluten, dairy, soy and eggs for us who have quit eating these four up to 1,5 years ago (gluten and dairy) and 2 months (eggs and soy) ?

I mean, it could certainly reveal other offenders than these four, but would it say anything about me being right to cut these four offenders?

My health is much better, but then again I'm on Entocort, so a test wouldn't become actual until I've come off Entocort, which will be in May, 2015.

Lilja

[tex]

Judy,

The third option was intended to cover situations such as yours:

Yes, but I either haven't had time yet to determine whether or not the test results will be helpful, or I'm not sure for some other reason.

Tex

[tex]

Would the test give reliable results as to gluten, dairy, soy and eggs for us who have quit eating these four up to 1,5 years ago (gluten and dairy) and 2 months (eggs and soy) ?

I mean, it could certainly reveal other offenders than these four, but would it say anything about me being right to cut these four offenders?

My health is much better, but then again I'm on Entocort, so a test wouldn't become actual until I've come off Entocort, which will be in May, 2015.

The EnteroLab tests can reliably detect gluten antibodies for a least a year after gluten has been removed from the diet, and in most cases their test can still detect gluten antibodies up to about 2 years after gluten has been removed from the diet. But in order to detect gluten sensitivity after 2 years, you would have to have had an unusually high antibody level before you started avoiding gluten, or else you would have to have accidentally eaten small amounts of gluten occasionally, or your diet would have to be cross-contaminated with traces of gluten from unknown sources. You would be surprised how often this happens, though.

Just having a bag of wheat flour in the house is usually enough to just about guarantee diet cross-contamination. A couple of years ago (after I had been in remission for over 7 years), I sent a sample to EnteroLab and found that my anti-gliadin antibody level was 62 The only possible explanation that I can find for that was that someone else in the house was using wheat flour (even though they were very careful about it). The dust from flour goes everywhere when you handle it, or mix it in a recipe. Eating out occasionally (either at restaurants or at someone else's home) can also carry a very high risk of diet cross-contamination.

Anti-gliadin antibodies have a half-life of 120 days, so it takes them a long time to decay. Most other food antibodies have a half-life of approximately 6 days, so those antibodies decay much faster. The EnteroLab tests can usually reliably detect antibodies to most of these foods for up to 2 or 3 months after they have been withdrawn from the diet, and in some cases they can still detect them at 4 or 5 months after they have been removed from the diet. But by next May (after a total of 7 months have passed), it is unlikely that the tests would detect antibodies to those foods if you are following a strict diet. The tests might still work for you, but I wouldn't count on it.

Tex

[Skyward]

I had wanted to ask about that- it sounds like time is of the essence here because I've been eating a very limited diet and hoping to get the testing done- but I couldn't figure out how they could know you react to a food if you aren't eating it. I was wondering if I was going to have to go on a last blast binge or something.

[mcnomore]

My allergist was the first person to suspect that I have a gluten problem. I don't have celiac however. She had me get a blood test each month after I began a gf diet until the test showed that I was not eating gluten. My insurance (Medicare) covered it. That test was the following:

gliadin IgG/igA Ab Prof, EIA
deamidated gliadin Abs, IgA

[mcnomore]

I asked Enterolab whether I should get certain tests given that I hadn't eat some foods ever or for a long time(just tell them how long) and they said the test would not be accurate so I should not spend the money. Guess they are very honest which is nice to know.