Would love some help deciphering my Entrolab results

mthoom · Post by **mthoom** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 3:51 pm

Happy Snowy Sunday! (at least in my part of the world...)

I received my Enterolab results and am trying to figure out what is safe and what is not, I'm feeling a little deflated. :(
I was not 100% gluten free when I submitted my sample, this was post-family-holiday get together, so, I did indulge in gluten. And, I know it makes me feel crappy.
So, I'm back on the GF train again. From what I can tell from my results, I do have a reaction to gluten.

Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score 346 Units (Normal Range is less than 300 Units)

Fecal Anti-gliadin IgA 52 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)

Fecal Anti-casein (cow’s milk) IgA 20 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)

Fecal Anti-ovalbumin (chicken egg) IgA 13 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)

Fecal Anti-soy IgA 14 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)

Mean Value # Antigenic Foods 13 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units) -

Mean Value 11 Antigenic Foods 13 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)

Food to which there was no significant immunological reactivity: Chicken, Pork, Tuna, White potato
Food to which there was some immunological reactivity (1+): Corn, Rice, Beef, Almond, Walnut, Cashew
Food to which there was moderate immunological reactivity (2+): Oat
Food to which there was significant and/or the most immunological reactivity (3+): None

Grains:
Grain toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Oat
Grain toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Corn
Grain toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Rice

Meats:
Meat toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Beef

Nuts:
Nut toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Almond
Nut toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Walnut
Nut toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Cashew

I don't drink cow's milk and have gone to Almond milk, from this that is a no go... I thought Almond would be a safer choice, I guess that is wrong. And, looks like soy is a no go, is there any other type of milk product that I should try? Coconut milk, maybe?

Is there any other tests that would be helpful right now? I was considering the fecal pancreatic elastase test.

Any feedback would be gratefully appreciated. I'm very thankful for all the feedback that I've received here...I am blessed that I found this forum when I did.
Much Thanks,
Melissa

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:22 pm

Hi Melissa,

Yes, your tests showed a positive result for gluten, casein, chicken egg, soy, and oats. Because your mean value for the 11 antigenic foods was only 13, and oat was the only one above 1+, you may or may not have a problem with corn. rice, almond, walnut, and cashew. If you do seem to react to any of them, you might still be able to tolerate that food as long as you don't eat it regularly. IOW, eating it only every third or forth day would probably still work, while eating it every day might not. And chicken, pork, tuna, and white potato should always work fine.

Melssa wrote:I don't drink cow's milk and have gone to Almond milk, from this that is a no go... I thought Almond would be a safer choice, I guess that is wrong. And, looks like soy is a no go, is there any other type of milk product that I should try? Coconut milk, maybe?

Most of us who are sensitive to almonds (including me) find that we can use almond milk with no problem. The fiber in almonds seems to be the biggest problem. And since almonds were only a 1+ for you, anyway (and the overall score for those foods was only 13), you should have no problem at all with almond milk, unless it has an additive that you cannot tolerate. I have no problems using both Silk brand almond milk and Diamond Breeze brand. Coconut milk should be fine, if you prefer it.

If it were me, I wouldn't bother with any tests that involve the pancreas, at least not now. Many (maybe most) MC patients also have an inflamed pancreas because of all the inflammation in the digestive system in general (MC can affect any organ in the digestive system, from one end to the other). So your pancreatic enzymes would probably test low (as long as MC is active) and that would just be an unnecessary worry. Most doctors don't realize that MC affects the pancreas, so your doctor would probably get all bent out of shape and order additional tests that are worth nothing in the long run, because our pancreas issues almost always resolve when we get our MC under control.

That said, the fecal elastase test result should tell how well you're currently able to digest proteins, if you're curious.

I hope this helps.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:16 pm

I agree with Tex's comments.

for now, i wouldnt go rushing for other tests, fine tuning the eating plan based on these results and reducing the inflammation is a good starting point.

if after a few months of low inflammation eating plan you are still having issues then it might be worth considering other tests if they are needed.

given the soy result a few suggestions that may assist
- check makeup, lipstick, lipbalms etc - some of these can have gluten and soy
- double check bathroom products especially natural ones as they can have wheatgerm
- be careful with baked goods, even GF ones, as they can have soy and they still have minuscule amounts of gluten in them

hope this helps

mthoom · Post by **mthoom** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:45 am

Thank You, Thank You Tex & Gabes, I really appreciate the feedback. I feel so much better after hearing your recommendations.

What an adventure this is... ;)
That is great news about the almond milk... I loved soy and already switched... I was a little heartbroken with the almond reaction. But, I can do this.

Thanks Again,
Melissa

mthoom · Post by **mthoom** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:13 pm

I thought I'd share some good news for a change. :) All has been well! My tummy actually has days of being "less bloated"... & I'm finding more days of feeling "normal" instead of walking around with a Buddha Belly. I've been trying to follow the low foodmap diet and am guided by my Enterolab results... I'm paying attention to ingredients like never before....on my toiletries, makeup, shampoo, etc.
I've had the energy and motivation to get back to the gym about 4-5 days a week.
And, my cause for "real celebration" - I actually had a normal poo!! LOL. Only certain people will find that cause to giggle! I was shocked! ha ha ha ha... Not just 1 random one... like a whole week!

I am part of a FB support group that I find helpful... this disease affects so many people across the globe...and, what one person finds helpful may send another person into a major flare. It is still disheartening that everyday medication can trigger such a life-changing condition. I still have "waves of jealously" when people in the office get to eat whatever they want as I pack my lunch everyday...but, it is what it is...and, I'm trying. There is hope...and, it keeps me going.

It is so nice to have a support system here and on FB.

Bless Ya'all and Happy Spring!

Melissa

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:47 pm

Such great news Melissa!

Every little bit of healing sure feels like it takes forever, until that one day when it all feels normal with just one formed stool! LOL

Keep up the great healing :-)

Post by **tex** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:28 pm

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for posting such an encouraging update. I hope your progress continues.

Tex