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

ladybugpumpkin

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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?

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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.

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

I must just be remembering incorrectly.

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      Yes, I do think they need a Thiamine supplement at least. Especially since they eat red meat only occasionally. Most fruits and vegetables are not good sources of Thiamine.  Legumes (beans) do contain thiamine.  Fruits and veggies do have some of the other B vitamins, but thiamine B 1 and  Cobalamine B12 are mostly found in meats.  Meat, especially organ meats like liver, are the best sources of Thiamine, B12, and the six other B vitamins and important minerals like iron.   Thiamine has antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Thiamine is important to our immune systems.  We need more thiamine when we're physically ill or injured, when we're under stress emotionally, and when we exercise, especially outside in hot weather.  We need thiamine and other B vitamins like Niacin B 3 to keep our gastrointestinal tract healthy.  We can't store thiamine for very long.  We can get low in thiamine within three days.  Symptoms can appear suddenly when a high carbohydrate diet is consumed.  (Rice and beans are high in carbohydrates.)  A twenty percent increase in dietary thiamine causes an eighty percent increase in brain function, so symptoms can wax and wane depending on what one eats.  The earliest symptoms like fatigue and anxiety are easily contributed to other things or life events and dismissed.   Correcting nutritional deficiencies needs to be done quickly, especially in children, so their growth isn't stunted.  Nutritional deficiencies can affect intelligence.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause short stature and poor bone formation.   Is your son taking anything for the anemia?  Is the anemia caused by B12 or iron deficiency?  
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