Hello, everybody I need your advice. I've been in contact with Enterolab regarding myself but unfortunately the tests won't work as I am already taking Humira for Spondyloarthropathy and that interferes with the tests. But I have contacted them regarding my son who has suffered all of his life ( he is now 25). He has been gluten free since he was 10 years old when I finally realised that his symptoms were very similar to his dad who is severely wheat intolerant. He improved somewhat after that but over the years he has increasing symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, chronic migraines which have only responded to a drug that is not currently licensed in the UK and frequently his burps taste of rotten eggs! Sorry to be so graphic! He also suffers with severe depression which is hardly surprising, considering he feels so awful most of the time. He has seen numerous doctors over the years and had a gastroscopy and biopsies a few years ago but wasn't diagnosed celiac. Skin tests show he is intolerant to gluten, wheat, she'll fish, grass pollen and cats. Anyway, Enterolab say that their tests should help and I wondered if there is anyone on here from the UK who has done the tests and if so, which courier they used?
I am desperate to help him but feel so helpless. He is wasting his life because he is unable to fully live, feeling the way he does.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.
Clemmie
Enterolab from the UK
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Clemmie,
Since I'm not from the UK, I can't recommend a courier to use. However, I can tell you how your son can get rid of the rotten egg odor (hydrogen sulfide) in his breath.
Believe it or not, the source of hydrogen sulfide gas is an anerobic bacteria that lives in a biofilm on the surface of the tongue (usually toward the back, where a coating can usually be seen down the centerline of the tongue). Hydrogen sulfide gas is produced as bacteria break down the amino acid Cysteine.
To treat the problem, oral hygiene experts recommend brushing or scraping the tongue with hydrogen peroxide (mixed one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water). A toothbrush can be dipped into the mixture and used to brush the tongue. The remainder of the coating can be scraped from the tongue, and of course this should be spit out, not swallowed. This can be repeated morning and night after brushing the teeth, for as long as necessary.
But you are correct of course — the cause of the problem is almost surely digestive issues due to food sensitivities that result in the proliferation of undesirable bacteria in the digestive tract.
I certainly agree with you that the sooner he sees the results of those stool tests, the sooner he will be able to change his diet so that he can get on with his life.
My guess is that DHL is commonly used for that service in the UK. You would probably need to call them and ask about overnight shipping of human lab test samples to the USA.
I hope that some of this is helpful.
Tex
Since I'm not from the UK, I can't recommend a courier to use. However, I can tell you how your son can get rid of the rotten egg odor (hydrogen sulfide) in his breath.
Believe it or not, the source of hydrogen sulfide gas is an anerobic bacteria that lives in a biofilm on the surface of the tongue (usually toward the back, where a coating can usually be seen down the centerline of the tongue). Hydrogen sulfide gas is produced as bacteria break down the amino acid Cysteine.
To treat the problem, oral hygiene experts recommend brushing or scraping the tongue with hydrogen peroxide (mixed one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water). A toothbrush can be dipped into the mixture and used to brush the tongue. The remainder of the coating can be scraped from the tongue, and of course this should be spit out, not swallowed. This can be repeated morning and night after brushing the teeth, for as long as necessary.
But you are correct of course — the cause of the problem is almost surely digestive issues due to food sensitivities that result in the proliferation of undesirable bacteria in the digestive tract.
I certainly agree with you that the sooner he sees the results of those stool tests, the sooner he will be able to change his diet so that he can get on with his life.
My guess is that DHL is commonly used for that service in the UK. You would probably need to call them and ask about overnight shipping of human lab test samples to the USA.
I hope that some of this is helpful.
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.
Thanks Tex. I think that the rotten egg taste is actually coming from his stomach but will tell him to try your suggestion. I've looked at DHL and will call them to make sure that they can deliver within 24 hours. The sooner we can get it done the better. He is reluctant to get the tests done because, in his eyes, nothing has worked/helped so far but I'm sure that I can persuade him. The things we do for our children lol!
Thanks again for replying, Tex.
Clemmie
Thanks again for replying, Tex.
Clemmie
Clemmie,
Because of Customs at the port of entry, 24-hour delivery is not always possible. However, the sample will still work OK. We have a member in Hong Kong whose sample was held up by Customs in Alaska for several days (for some unknown reason). However, the sample was still useable when it reached the lab in Texas. The sample is shipped frozen, and the 24-hour restriction is presumably mostly necessary in order to limit the possibility of odor.
And you're correct. The fact that nothing has worked so far, simply means that there were problems with the solutions he has tried so far — all the more reason to try something different. If he follows the recommendations based on the EnteroLab test results, he should be able to resolve his digestive system issues.
You're very welcome,
Tex
Because of Customs at the port of entry, 24-hour delivery is not always possible. However, the sample will still work OK. We have a member in Hong Kong whose sample was held up by Customs in Alaska for several days (for some unknown reason). However, the sample was still useable when it reached the lab in Texas. The sample is shipped frozen, and the 24-hour restriction is presumably mostly necessary in order to limit the possibility of odor.
And you're correct. The fact that nothing has worked so far, simply means that there were problems with the solutions he has tried so far — all the more reason to try something different. If he follows the recommendations based on the EnteroLab test results, he should be able to resolve his digestive system issues.
You're very welcome,
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.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Did you speak with DHL?
Dhl do international shipments for saliva testing for the dna testing company 23andme. 23andme had a special arrangement with DHL. Part of the cost is for special handling of the sample through international handling.
Did you speak to the lab direct and see if they have a pre arrangement?
The testing does make things easier,/quicker in indentifying major triggers, but it is not totally essential...
Dhl do international shipments for saliva testing for the dna testing company 23andme. 23andme had a special arrangement with DHL. Part of the cost is for special handling of the sample through international handling.
Did you speak to the lab direct and see if they have a pre arrangement?
The testing does make things easier,/quicker in indentifying major triggers, but it is not totally essential...
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Gabes,
I was looking at the DHL website and it said that human biological samples are prohibited. It was late in the evening when I saw this so didn't call but emailed. I had a reply asking exactly what I want to ship. Should I tell them that it is a stool sample or just give it a damn good ignoring????
The testing is essential for my son because he is so despondent about it all that he has basically given up on life. He figures that he is going to feel ill whatever he does so we need positive proof for him to see that he really can feel better again. He has felt so unwell basically all his life and now he just exists. He is a talented singer songwriter but can't follow that path due to his chronic migraines and depression.
Enterolab just said that I will have to sort out shipping but will ask them if they have a preferred carrier.
Clemmie
I was looking at the DHL website and it said that human biological samples are prohibited. It was late in the evening when I saw this so didn't call but emailed. I had a reply asking exactly what I want to ship. Should I tell them that it is a stool sample or just give it a damn good ignoring????
The testing is essential for my son because he is so despondent about it all that he has basically given up on life. He figures that he is going to feel ill whatever he does so we need positive proof for him to see that he really can feel better again. He has felt so unwell basically all his life and now he just exists. He is a talented singer songwriter but can't follow that path due to his chronic migraines and depression.
Enterolab just said that I will have to sort out shipping but will ask them if they have a preferred carrier.
Clemmie
Clemmie,
Ask EnbteroLab to tell you exactly how you should respond to the DHL request.
And please share that response with us, for the benefit of others who are probably wondering the same thing.
Good Luck,
Tex
Ask EnbteroLab to tell you exactly how you should respond to the DHL request.
And please share that response with us, for the benefit of others who are probably wondering the same thing.
Good Luck,
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.
Enterolab have been very helpful. This is their reply:
"We recommend UPS or Fed Ex, the following is the information we send with the testing kit that you will need to provide the courier service when you return the specimen - "Please find enclosed an "Exempt Human" specimen that is to be tested for food sensitivities by Enterolab, Federal Tax ID#75-2857170, located at (Enterolab address). I have not been inoculated or exposed to any livestock or poultry disease agent. The material is not of tissue culture origin. The material is not zoonotic. The material is not known to be infectious nor have I been in recent contact with another person known to possess an infectious disease."
So it looks as though there should be no problems with sending the specimen from the UK. Thanks for all your help.
Clemmie
"We recommend UPS or Fed Ex, the following is the information we send with the testing kit that you will need to provide the courier service when you return the specimen - "Please find enclosed an "Exempt Human" specimen that is to be tested for food sensitivities by Enterolab, Federal Tax ID#75-2857170, located at (Enterolab address). I have not been inoculated or exposed to any livestock or poultry disease agent. The material is not of tissue culture origin. The material is not zoonotic. The material is not known to be infectious nor have I been in recent contact with another person known to possess an infectious disease."
So it looks as though there should be no problems with sending the specimen from the UK. Thanks for all your help.
Clemmie
Clemmie,
Thank you for sharing that information. I was unaware of that because it is not included with domestic orders (presumably because they do not have to go through customs). At least I don't recall that it was included with my last order, several years ago.
This is very helpful information for other overseas members who might be considering ordering tests.
Tex
Thank you for sharing that information. I was unaware of that because it is not included with domestic orders (presumably because they do not have to go through customs). At least I don't recall that it was included with my last order, several years ago.
This is very helpful information for other overseas members who might be considering ordering tests.
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.
-
natythingycolbery
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 590
- Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:23 pm
- Location: York, United Kingdom
I know this is probably a little too late to post this. But have you heard of Yorktest? They are based in the UK and give pretty accurate results of food intolerances etc. the only difference between them though is you provide a blood sample.
I did it 3 years ago and it picked up on all my food intolerances.
I did it 3 years ago and it picked up on all my food intolerances.
'The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be.' Horace Bushnell
Diagnosed with MC (LC) Aug 2010
Diagnosed with MC (LC) Aug 2010
Well I emailed UPS as they have a depot in the next village and I thought that would be easy to get the sample to them. I told them exactly what Enterolab said and they say they cannot ship "Exempt Human" sample. Of course there are several others that I can try but I'm a bit reluctant to actually ask as if they say no then I'm at a loss as to how to get the sample to the lab. So do you think I should contact these other companies in the hope that one will agree to ship or should I just not tell them what I'm sending? Clemmie