Accurate and Reliable Testing to Identify Food Intolerances: Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis

[KJK907]

Hello,

 

I was recently diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis at age 62.  In an attempt to learn more about this disease, I reviewed the information on the Microscopic Colitis Foundation website.  An article on the site dealing with diet changes to treat the disease indicates the most common foods that cause the immune system to produce antibodies are gluten, casein (the primary protein in all dairy products), soy, and eggs, usually in that order.  The last part of the article suggests EnteroLab, in Dallas, Texas, is the only lab in the country that can provide accurate and reliable identification of specific food intolerances and sensitivities.

 

I’m trying to be proactive, make the best decisions for my health, and looking for the most accurate way to identify the food intolerances that are causing my severe symptoms.  Skylark’s Blog post on the Celiac.com website suggest that EnteroLab testing may not be the best way to go.

 

If EnteroLab testing isn’t the best path forward, what are the most accurate and reliable tests available for identifying specific food intolerances and sensitivities?  What are the names of the tests and where can I get the testing done?

 

Thanks so much for your help,

KJK907

[Scott Adams]

I don't have an issue recommending EnteroLab, as they would also do a celiac disease blood panel--I assume that you are considering being screened for celiac disease, is that right?

EnteroLab also does stool testing for celiac disease antibodies, and they claim that such antibodies appear in the gut, long before they appear in the blood, so they can catch pre-celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity with these tests.  Since there isn't a lot of studies done on this, some people don't feel that this approach is valid, which is why you might find some controversy about EnteroLab on the Internet.

Be sure to keep eating gluten daily until all of your celiac disease tests are completed (at least 2 slices worth of wheat bread per day for at least 6-8 weeks before any blood tests, and 2 weeks before an endoscopy), otherwise the test results could end up false-negative.

[KJK907]

5 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

I don't have an issue recommending EnteroLab, as they would also do a celiac disease blood panel--I assume that you are considering being screened for celiac disease, is that right?

EnteroLab also does stool testing for celiac disease antibodies, and they claim that such antibodies appear in the gut, long before they appear in the blood, so they can catch pre-celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity with these tests.  Since there isn't a lot of studies done on this, some people don't feel that this approach is valid, which is why you might find some controversy about EnteroLab on the Internet.

Be sure to keep eating gluten daily until all of your celiac disease tests are completed (at least 2 slices worth of wheat bread per day for at least 6-8 weeks before any blood tests, and 2 weeks before an endoscopy), otherwise the test results could end up false-negative.

Hello Scott,

Thanks for the response.  Testing through EnteroLab isn’t necessarily my first choice and I appreciate the feedback regarding the science.  My goal in reaching out is to determine what specific tests I need to have done to identify food intolerances most common for individuals diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis including gluten, casein, soy and eggs.

My gastroenterologist recently order the following tests:

Tissue Transglutaminase Anitbody, IGA TTFIGA, and IGA Serum 

Are these the tests I should be doing, and are there any other specific tests for identifying possible intolerances to gluten, casein, soy, and eggs?

Unfortunately, the tests are happening this week so I won’t have the opportunity to follow the suggested protocol of continuing to eat gluten daily for another two 6-8 weeks.

Any other advice regarding proactive approaches to identify intolerances would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kelly K.

[Scott Adams]

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