Hello friends!
It has been some time since I have posted. Life gets so hectic & no sign of any slow down either! UGH!
I apologize if this has been "discussed and hashed over" before but I need some assistance on allergy testing.
I am finally getting within the normal ranges for my thyroid after three years of struggle. Anyway, I should be feeling tip top but I'm not. So I have decided to see if I have any allergies. Can someone with our disease to be diagnosed properly by an allergy doc? I know many of you have had testing through Ent. Lab. My insurance covers the allergy doc but I don't want to waste time or energy if I won't get the results I need.
I welcome any advice and information!
Hugs!
Lori
P.S. Since my thyroid is working better I have lost 40 lbs. Only 30 more to go. Yipeeeeee!
Allergy testing??
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Allergy testing??
"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift." ~ PIERRE CORNEILLE
Fantastic on the weight loss. Congrats, too, on getting your thyroid regulated. I'd sure love it if I could get mine to stop fluctuating so much.
I have been looking on the net at food allergy testing. I'm wondering if I have more allergies than soy, casein and gluten. I wish EL tested for more although it would be expensive.
My Dad was an allergist but I really don't remember much talk about food allergies. Mostly, I heard about hay fever, asthma etc. There were some very intricate cases where he really had to do some sleuthing. The one I remember was someone who turned out to be allergic to cleaning out a birdbath. (The problem is, I don't remember much.)
One of my favorite stories that my Dad told was of a very young boy who said, "Dr. L. you give such good shots, you ought to be a real doctor."
I have been looking on the net at food allergy testing. I'm wondering if I have more allergies than soy, casein and gluten. I wish EL tested for more although it would be expensive.
My Dad was an allergist but I really don't remember much talk about food allergies. Mostly, I heard about hay fever, asthma etc. There were some very intricate cases where he really had to do some sleuthing. The one I remember was someone who turned out to be allergic to cleaning out a birdbath. (The problem is, I don't remember much.)
One of my favorite stories that my Dad told was of a very young boy who said, "Dr. L. you give such good shots, you ought to be a real doctor."
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Hi Lori,
That's great news on the thyroid, and the weight loss.
Enterolab can only test for food intolerances. If that's what you are looking for, then they are the best, by far. In fact, they have no competition, for all practical purposes. If you're talking about histamine-based reactions, instead, (such as hay fever, asthma, etc.), then the conventional allergy clinics should be able to do the job, using a skin test, or something similar.
Most insurance companies won't pay for stool tests at Enterolab, but that's the only way to detect the type of food intolerances that we have. Blood tests and skin tests simply won't yield reliable results for that.
Joan, thanks for the laugh - that's a good story.
Tex
That's great news on the thyroid, and the weight loss.
Enterolab can only test for food intolerances. If that's what you are looking for, then they are the best, by far. In fact, they have no competition, for all practical purposes. If you're talking about histamine-based reactions, instead, (such as hay fever, asthma, etc.), then the conventional allergy clinics should be able to do the job, using a skin test, or something similar.
Most insurance companies won't pay for stool tests at Enterolab, but that's the only way to detect the type of food intolerances that we have. Blood tests and skin tests simply won't yield reliable results for that.
Joan, thanks for the laugh - that's a good story.
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.
I don't want to do elimination testing on my own 
Just cut out everything listed under Polly's avatar, and after you're in remission, try adding them back in, one at a time, and make sure you're stabilized, before adding another one back in.
Tex
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.
Joan, that is a great story....out of the mouths of babes. Too funny!
Aren't thyroid problems the WORST! I am in range for the first time ever but my doc says not to get to confident yet! When I had my thyroid surgery everyone said that it was so easy to treat. This has NOT been easy!
Tex,
Thanks for the information. It was the answer I needed. I will go to Ent. Lab. I haven't wanted to consider the gluten allergy and have avoided "the issue" ever since my diagnosis. But I guess it's time to face facts. I need to know. I don't just want to feel good, I want to feel great. I can only do a couple of the tests now so would it be wise to start with the gluten and the milk allergy tests?
Thanks again
Lori
Aren't thyroid problems the WORST! I am in range for the first time ever but my doc says not to get to confident yet! When I had my thyroid surgery everyone said that it was so easy to treat. This has NOT been easy!
Tex,
Thanks for the information. It was the answer I needed. I will go to Ent. Lab. I haven't wanted to consider the gluten allergy and have avoided "the issue" ever since my diagnosis. But I guess it's time to face facts. I need to know. I don't just want to feel good, I want to feel great. I can only do a couple of the tests now so would it be wise to start with the gluten and the milk allergy tests?
Thanks again
Lori
"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift." ~ PIERRE CORNEILLE
Lori, I was doing great just going gluten free which I found out from this site. I even had to have prunes and prune juice to get my EL sample!
Things have changed and I've got D back.
OK, Tex. I'll try it. I've got all sorts of GF food that isn't soy free. BUMMER. Crackers, waffles and cookies.....It's impossible to find the food I need around here. We may have to go to B'ham or order online.
Hmmm, I have been snacking on blue corn chips..........I hope it's not that. I had real corn in the shrimp boil at the dog show, though.
Things have changed and I've got D back.
OK, Tex. I'll try it. I've got all sorts of GF food that isn't soy free. BUMMER. Crackers, waffles and cookies.....It's impossible to find the food I need around here. We may have to go to B'ham or order online.
Hmmm, I have been snacking on blue corn chips..........I hope it's not that. I had real corn in the shrimp boil at the dog show, though.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Lori,
I had forgotten that you weren't on "the diet", but you're right - that's probably the reason why you're not feeling great. For some of us, D seems to be the only significant symptom, but for many of us, it's only one of many symptoms, and while some of the meds prescribed for MC can control the D pretty effectively, they may not be able to control some of the other symptoms adequately, or even at all.
Yes, if I were in your shoes, I would start with the gluten and dairy tests, (assuming that you have been eating gluten and dairy regularly). Actually, the stool tests are so sensitive that they can detect gluten antibodies for up to a year after you cut gluten out of your diet, but the other tests are not that sensitive. For dairy, and most of the other foods, the tests may not reliably detect antibodies if you cut them out of your diet for more than two or three weeks before you collect the sample, so it's best to continue to eat them up until you obtain the sample. As Polly points out, about half of the members here who are sensitive to gluten, are also sensitive to soy, so that would probably be your next best choice for a test.
Enterolab keeps samples for up to a year, so if you decide to have some additional tests done later, you can still order additional tests for up to a year after you sent the sample - all you have to do is call them, (and make payment arrangements), to order an additional test, (or additional tests).
Congratulations on making that decision! I agree that it's a good time to check out these possibilities, and see if a few changes can make you feel great, while you're still young, and can truly enjoy life for many years to come.
You're more than welcome.
Tex
I had forgotten that you weren't on "the diet", but you're right - that's probably the reason why you're not feeling great. For some of us, D seems to be the only significant symptom, but for many of us, it's only one of many symptoms, and while some of the meds prescribed for MC can control the D pretty effectively, they may not be able to control some of the other symptoms adequately, or even at all.
Yes, if I were in your shoes, I would start with the gluten and dairy tests, (assuming that you have been eating gluten and dairy regularly). Actually, the stool tests are so sensitive that they can detect gluten antibodies for up to a year after you cut gluten out of your diet, but the other tests are not that sensitive. For dairy, and most of the other foods, the tests may not reliably detect antibodies if you cut them out of your diet for more than two or three weeks before you collect the sample, so it's best to continue to eat them up until you obtain the sample. As Polly points out, about half of the members here who are sensitive to gluten, are also sensitive to soy, so that would probably be your next best choice for a test.
Enterolab keeps samples for up to a year, so if you decide to have some additional tests done later, you can still order additional tests for up to a year after you sent the sample - all you have to do is call them, (and make payment arrangements), to order an additional test, (or additional tests).
Congratulations on making that decision! I agree that it's a good time to check out these possibilities, and see if a few changes can make you feel great, while you're still young, and can truly enjoy life for many years to come.
You're more than 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.
Hiya Lori! 
Long time, no see! Sorry to hear that you're still not up to par, but three cheers for your weight loss!
I agree with the idea of Enterolab. It is the very best (gold standard) for those of us with food intolerances. Our type of intolerances do not show up on the skin or blood tests done by the regular allergists. I would agree with Tex that gluten and dairy would be the critical ones to get first. Be sure to check and see if your insurance will cover the tests - the lab has all of the federal and state certification needed for reimbursement.
Like Tex, I have a hunch that this may be just what you need to get your health back. Do you remember AnnE of the Island? She also had thyroid issues, and I think I recall her mentioning that she was able to reduce the amount of thyroid she took after going gluten free. She also mentioned that all of her aches and pains went away (she had attributed them to getting old).
Congrats on making the decision to get the testing. It's never an easy one. If you do find that gluten is a problem, there are plenty of experts here to help you with modifying your diet. Have you checked the Kitchen lately? Dee has become the guru of cooking with food intolerances.
Hey, how are Ashlee and Kylee? Any recent photos of that cutie-pie???
Love,
Polly
Long time, no see! Sorry to hear that you're still not up to par, but three cheers for your weight loss!
I agree with the idea of Enterolab. It is the very best (gold standard) for those of us with food intolerances. Our type of intolerances do not show up on the skin or blood tests done by the regular allergists. I would agree with Tex that gluten and dairy would be the critical ones to get first. Be sure to check and see if your insurance will cover the tests - the lab has all of the federal and state certification needed for reimbursement.
Like Tex, I have a hunch that this may be just what you need to get your health back. Do you remember AnnE of the Island? She also had thyroid issues, and I think I recall her mentioning that she was able to reduce the amount of thyroid she took after going gluten free. She also mentioned that all of her aches and pains went away (she had attributed them to getting old).
Congrats on making the decision to get the testing. It's never an easy one. If you do find that gluten is a problem, there are plenty of experts here to help you with modifying your diet. Have you checked the Kitchen lately? Dee has become the guru of cooking with food intolerances.
Hey, how are Ashlee and Kylee? Any recent photos of that cutie-pie???
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.