York Vs. Enterolab?

[Shalia]

OK, I can't find a doctor (at the VA cause that's where I go) who thinks I need to be tested for Celiac, even though I read all the symptoms (except weight loss!) and say "yep, that's me!". I've had a diagnosis of IBS for years, but they just patted me on the head, suggested Immodium, and sent me on my way.

So I'd like to test myself, and as far as I'm aware, York (insert new name I've already forgotten here) and Enterolab are the two that I see people testing through. But I'd like to know which is better. I've only been gluten-free for about 2.5 weeks, so I *think* I'd still show up on a blood test (although I'd regluten myself to get a positive test if necessary) so York should be OK, and I've heard excellent things about Enterolab. I'm worried about Enterolab not being seen as mainstream medicine, though.

What experiences do people have with both these testers, good and bad? I saw the 84bajillion food intolerance panel by York, and I'm not sure I'd even *want* to know if I were allergic to half the food world... are the other tests just as good? Do they explain what you need to know?

How important is the gene test by Enterolab? Seems like it would be incredibly useful to know what genes you are carrying... but is it helpful in convincing dumb doctors and skeptical husbands?

I just have so many questions...

HELP!

Shalia

[PatrickCA]

Shalia,

My understanding is the sudden weight loss or weight gain does not always occur. I didn't have this problem either, but did have many of the others.

Like you, I was concerned about Enterolab not being seen as mainstream medicine. However, I was in process of changing my primary care physician, and couldn't get to a dr. for over two months. And I wanted to get the enterolab test before I made long term dietery changes.

I've done a reasonable amount of reading about sprue diagnosis, though many here know more than I. I think Dr. Fine has taken a very rational approach and scientific approach, that makes their testing less likely to yield a false negative. False positives are another story. But like others here have suggested, if you are reacting immunologically to gluten, casein, or other foods (and yet feel 'healty') you may be more likely to develop problems in the future.

It would very interesting to get tests done by both laboratories.

As far as the gene test, I do think it is valuable. If I only had anti-gliadin, I (personally) would still be skeptical that this is the cause of many of my problems. Learning that I have the 'gene potential' just increases confidence that I really am at least gluten sensitive. Though, it is true that some enormous fraction (maybe almost half) of the population will contain at least one of the genes linked to either sensitivity or celiac. (I had both - so again, I'm more convinced that this really is a problem and that their testing is *probably* conclusive. Anway, I've spent money on a lot of other more useless things.

Regardless, I hope you are able to uncover something about your problems soon. (It took me about 5-6 yrs to get here since my first major symtoms)

[Nevadan]

In my opinion, for most people the best test is to try the gluten-free diet for a few weeks and see if your symptoms respond. Depending on your present eating habits, eating gluten-free may not be so difficult (think vegetables, salads, simply prepared fish, poultry, and meat - there are some very good gluten-free cereals available as well; and a good gluten-free diet is very healthy!

[AndreaB]

I used enterolab for my family and was very pleased with them. I really appreciate the gene test so we can see what we have. All but my husband were intolerant to gluten. He has two celiac genes though. The whole house is gluten free.

We never had symptoms that were obvious before going gluten free, but we do now if we get glutened.