Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

To Enterolab Or Not To Enterolab...that Is The Question!

ladybugpumpkin

Recommended Posts

ladybugpumpkin Contributor
ladybugpumpkin
Posted

Okay, so I think I've talked myself into getting the Enterolab test (just the stool one, not the genes). But I have a few questions...

1. Is it accurate?

2. Does it test for celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or both?

3. Are positive results recognized by the medical community or do the doctors still want to do their own

tests? In other words, should I just keep my GI appointment and see what he decides to do first?

4. OR, should I do the E-lab prior to my GI appointment, and then discuss the results (positive or negative)

with him?

The cost really isn't an issue at this point (I just want to feel better!) but due to all the "poking and proding" I've experienced from doctors in the past 3 years, I'd like to keep it to a minimum. So if I can avoid an endoscopy or (heaven forbid!) a colonoscopy, that would be great! And I don't want to go to the trouble of the E-lab if the doctor is just going to brush it off and do what he wants to do anyway.

What are your thoughts?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

I was gluten-free, then went on gluten for a time to get tested. I felt really, really, really bad the whole time on gluten, then the tests came out negative/inconclusive (there are not negative tests, it just means if you have damage, it wasn't found). I went to Enterolab and was happy with their service and results.

In my opinion, what does it matter if your doc accepts the results or not. You don't need medication from him, it's just dietary changes. Once your on the diet and have improvement, even if your doc doesn't accept Enterolab's testing, he will probably accept the positive dietary response.

My general practitioner accepted Enterolab. My ob/gyn accepts dietary response and runs some blood work for me at my regular appt. I never really see the gp.

Did he do a blood test? Do you know the results? That can tell you a lot.

1. Is it accurate?

2. Does it test for celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or both?

3. Are positive results recognized by the medical community or do the doctors still want to do their own

tests? In other words, should I just keep my GI appointment and see what he decides to do first?

4. OR, should I do the E-lab prior to my GI appointment, and then discuss the results (positive or negative)

with him?

1. Yes and it's more sensitive than conventional testing so you can catch the disease before it does major damage and maybe causes other autoimmune diseases.

2. Gluten intolerance. Celiac disease by definition is a positive biopsy. If you get the complete stool test they can tell you if you're having malabsorption though.

3/4. This is really up to you. If you still feel you need the doc after you know, then you can still go. I didn't personally find the docs too helpful. If someone else has had a different experience, please correct me, but the GI doc seems to just diagnose you and send you on your way, so if you're already diagnosed, there's not much of a point in seeing him.

ladybugpumpkin Contributor
ladybugpumpkin
Posted
  • Author

I haven't been to the GI doc yet. So I'm just trying to avoid it if I can. I think that the $99 test would just save me some money and unnecessary testing in the long run. BTW, ya'll got me curious now...what's this meal you eat at Nick's? My husband and I might go check it out this weekend!

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

Kate goes in there for lunch during the week and has Raggs, the chef, trained on her food sensitivities. No dairy and no gluten. So Raggs sautees veggies, pototoes, with basil and olive oil. He serves it with a bunless burger. It's GREAT!! Very filling, too, considering that I have a ravenous appetite, that's impressive! If Raggs is there, you can just order "The Kate." If he's not, I've successfully ordered it, but had to explain what it was to the chef on duty.

I don't know if he's there on the weekend or not ... Kate?

I got the complete testing from Enterolab. I only got the casein testing because it was "free" with the rest of it. I never would have guessed I had a problem with casein, and now I wish I had tested for soy!!

I just wanted you to have a benefit from my hindsight.

ladybugpumpkin Contributor
ladybugpumpkin
Posted
  • Author
I got the complete testing from Enterolab. I only got the casein testing because it was "free" with the rest of it. I never would have guessed I had a problem with casein, and now I wish I had tested for soy!!

I just wanted you to have a benefit from my hindsight.

So on the enterolab website, you got the first test, A) Gluten Sensitivity Stool and Gene Panel Complete which tests for antigliadin, anti-tissue transglutaminase, malabsorption test, gene test, and free milk sensitivity for $369? Sorry, I'm just confused by all this and want to make sure I'm getting the right test.

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
So on the enterolab website, you got the first test, A) Gluten Sensitivity Stool and Gene Panel Complete which tests for antigliadin, anti-tissue transglutaminase, malabsorption test, gene test, and free milk sensitivity for $369? Sorry, I'm just confused by all this and want to make sure I'm getting the right test.

I don't think it included the gene test for $369, mine was 500 and something.

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Mine included the gene test and it cost around 360ish.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
Mine included the gene test and it cost around 360ish.

I must just be remembering incorrectly.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,663
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Funnybone
    Newest Member
    Funnybone
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Inkie
      Tea Bags and Gluten

      By Inkie · Posted

      Thank you for the information ill will definitely bring it into practice .
    • Scott Adams
      Tea Bags and Gluten

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While plain, pure tea leaves (black, green, or white) are naturally gluten-free, the issue often lies not with the tea itself but with other ingredients or processing. Many flavored teas use barley malt or other gluten-containing grains as a flavoring agent, which would be clearly listed on the ingredient label. Cross-contamination is another possibility, either in the facility where the tea is processed or, surprisingly, from the tea bag material itself—some tea bags are sealed with a wheat-based glue. Furthermore, it's important to consider that your reaction could be to other substances in tea, such as high levels of tannins, which can be hard on the stomach, or to natural histamines or other compounds that can cause a non-celiac immune response. The best way to investigate is to carefully read labels for hidden ingredients, try switching to a certified gluten-free tea brand that uses whole leaf or pyramid-style bags, and see if the reaction persists.
    • Scott Adams
      Inconclusive results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a challenging and confusing situation. The combination of a positive EMA—which is a highly specific marker rarely yielding false positives—alongside strongly elevated TTG on two separate occasions, years apart, is profoundly suggestive of celiac disease, even in the absence of biopsy damage. This pattern strongly aligns with what is known as "potential celiac disease," where the immune system is clearly activated, but intestinal damage has not yet become visible under the microscope. Your concern about the long-term risk of continued gluten consumption is valid, especially given your family's experience with the consequences of delayed diagnosis. Since your daughter is now at an age where her buy-in is essential for a gluten-free lifestyle, obtaining a definitive answer is crucial for her long-term adherence and health. Given that she is asymptomatic yet serologically positive, a third biopsy now, after a proper 12-week challenge, offers the best chance to capture any microscopic damage that may have developed, providing the concrete evidence needed to justify the dietary change. This isn't about wanting her to have celiac; it's about wanting to prevent the insidious damage that can occur while waiting for symptoms to appear, and ultimately giving her the unambiguous "why" she needs to accept and commit to the necessary treatment. This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.    
    • Scott Adams
      Medication

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Welcome to the community! Generally, for a gluten challenge before celiac disease blood tests, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is considered safe and should not interfere with your antibody results. The medications you typically need to avoid are those like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) that can cause intestinal irritation, which could potentially complicate the interpretation of an endoscopy if you were to have one. However, it is absolutely crucial that you confirm this with either your gastroenterologist or your surgeon before your procedure. They know the specifics of your case and can give you the definitive green light, ensuring your surgery is comfortable and your celiac testing remains accurate. Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow
    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Thank you for the advice. I’ve actually never checked for nutritional deficiencies, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve always taken vitamin and mineral supplements — otherwise my symptoms get worse. This week I stopped eating gluten to confirm whether my symptoms are really caused by it. Starting next week, I’ll reintroduce gluten — it’s sad to go back to how I was before — but at least I’ll be able to take the necessary tests properly. I think the diagnostic process will be long, but at least I’m happy that I finally decided to address this doubt I’ve had for years.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.