As I've mentioned here before, I am managing my MC quite well since going gluten free in October. I know something else could still trigger me but so far, so good. My Enterolab indicated an elevated casein antibody level (33).
I have never noticed a reaction to cheese (but have to milk and had always assumed it was lactose). My question is, if I don't have any symptoms/reactions to cheese at this point, do you believe it is safe to consume it or can it still be causing some hidden issues as gluten does? I hate to eliminate foods if I don't have to [afraid I'll never get them back :( ]
Your thoughts?
Casein antibodies
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Hi Deb,
If your test result for casein had been in the 10 to 12 range, I would say that it might possibly have been a false positive result. However, with a reading so high, (33), you are clearly casein-sensitive. Having said that, it's possible that you might be asymptomatic to casein, meaning that even though you are generating antibodies to it, you are not experiencing any clinical symptoms. Or, you might just have a relatively high reaction threshold, and it takes more casein to trigger a reaction, than it does for most of us who are casein-sensitive.
You are probably right about the milk, since it presents a double whammy, from both casein and lactose.
According to research, asysmptomatic celiacs who continue to eat gluten, (but show absolutely no clinical symptoms), do not have the elevated risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that are faced by untreated celiacs who are symptomatic. So, based on that, I would surmise that if you are truly asymptomatic to your casein sensitivity, you probably wouldn't have a reason to be concerned about an increased risk of lymphoma. Also, while a casein-sensitivity can cause villus atrophy, (just as gluten can), usually, patients who are asymptomatic, do not suffer significant malabsorption issues, (at least that's typically the case with asymptomatic celiacs).
So, if I were in your situation, I probably would avoid cheese, simply because at that result level, the test result has to be correct. However, that said, as long as you have no symptoms from it, (including any respiratory symptoms, such as throat congestion, immediately after you eat any of it, and no neurological symptoms, etc.), then you probably would not be subjecting yourself to any serious health risks, by occasionally eating cheese. If you begin to notice symptoms in the future, though, it might be time to reassess the situation.
Anyway, that's my opinion, FWIW, and remember - I'm not a doctor, and I don't even own a white coat.
Tex
If your test result for casein had been in the 10 to 12 range, I would say that it might possibly have been a false positive result. However, with a reading so high, (33), you are clearly casein-sensitive. Having said that, it's possible that you might be asymptomatic to casein, meaning that even though you are generating antibodies to it, you are not experiencing any clinical symptoms. Or, you might just have a relatively high reaction threshold, and it takes more casein to trigger a reaction, than it does for most of us who are casein-sensitive.
You are probably right about the milk, since it presents a double whammy, from both casein and lactose.According to research, asysmptomatic celiacs who continue to eat gluten, (but show absolutely no clinical symptoms), do not have the elevated risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that are faced by untreated celiacs who are symptomatic. So, based on that, I would surmise that if you are truly asymptomatic to your casein sensitivity, you probably wouldn't have a reason to be concerned about an increased risk of lymphoma. Also, while a casein-sensitivity can cause villus atrophy, (just as gluten can), usually, patients who are asymptomatic, do not suffer significant malabsorption issues, (at least that's typically the case with asymptomatic celiacs).
So, if I were in your situation, I probably would avoid cheese, simply because at that result level, the test result has to be correct. However, that said, as long as you have no symptoms from it, (including any respiratory symptoms, such as throat congestion, immediately after you eat any of it, and no neurological symptoms, etc.), then you probably would not be subjecting yourself to any serious health risks, by occasionally eating cheese. If you begin to notice symptoms in the future, though, it might be time to reassess the situation.
Anyway, that's my opinion, FWIW, and remember - I'm not a doctor, and I don't even own a white coat.
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.
Deb,
I agree with Tex. The only thing I would add is that many people with casein intolerance actually develop constipation instead of D, especially children. So maybe it's masking some of your MC symptoms? People with undiagnosed casein sensitivity can also suffer more from worse seasonal allergies, headaches, skin rashes, etc, so if you are plagued with seemingly unrelated symptoms, you may want to eliminate casein for a while and see if they improve.
I agree with Tex. The only thing I would add is that many people with casein intolerance actually develop constipation instead of D, especially children. So maybe it's masking some of your MC symptoms? People with undiagnosed casein sensitivity can also suffer more from worse seasonal allergies, headaches, skin rashes, etc, so if you are plagued with seemingly unrelated symptoms, you may want to eliminate casein for a while and see if they improve.
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faithberry
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 246
- Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:40 am
I find it harder to find information about casein-sensitivity so this was very helpful. My score was only about 11 so like Tex says, it may not be so meaningful. I have gotten joint pain from drinking straight-on milk in my pre-MC days so I try to stay cognizant of the possibilities. Thanks.
Faith
LC (in remission)
LC (in remission)
Hi Deb,
I always found that dairy products gave me significant muscle/joint aches and pains. You do seem to have a high threshhold. As Tex said, I would think occasional cheese wouldn't be a problem. We are probably better off anyway not eating any one food for days on end.
Hugs,
Polly
I always found that dairy products gave me significant muscle/joint aches and pains. You do seem to have a high threshhold. As Tex said, I would think occasional cheese wouldn't be a problem. We are probably better off anyway not eating any one food for days on end.
Hugs,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.