Enterolab Or York

[Corkdarrr]

I've been gluten-free for about 2 months now and I've definately seen improvement. But not a LOT of improvement (comparing now to the first week I was gluten-free which was like a dream).

I've been trying to decide if maybe I have other intolerances or allergies or anything and I'm wondering if I should get some tests done.

I mean, with a positive dietary response, I see no reason for it to be officially diagnosed. It's a diet change - not a prescription. And the liklihood of finding a doctor that understands about Celiac is so slim...

Between Enterolab and York, is one test more reliable? I like that York has a wider scope, but not if that scope isn't very reliable. I like how definitive Enterolab seems to be, but I don't know if it can give me any new information. (Not to mention that if it DOES provide new information, I don't think I could handle it. Dairy? The consequences of taking cheese away from me are very unpleasant.)

Should I even bother getting a lab test, or am I just being impatient?

I guess I'd like to know what other sensitivities/allergies I have because I don't want to be accidentally doing something that's going to make me feel like crap on a daily basis.

I really want to go out and eat a bagel. Not because I am craving one, but because I want to know the physical side effects it will have on me. (A bagel seems like one of the most gluten-packed things to eat) That's ridiculous because I've accidentally glutened myself several times in the past few months and it was extraordinarily unpleasant.

I guess I'm just back in my hopeful doubting stage. Like maybe it's not gluten and it's just refined flour or something.

Sigh.

-Courtney

[CarlaB]

I used Enterolab and was very happy with their service. I was not happy about giving up dairy ... I didn't at first because I was feeling so much better. But I realized after a few months gluten-free, that sometimes what I thought was a glutening was really from the dairy. Now I wish I had had the soy test, too. Personally, I'm happy I know for sure. Dietary response says a lot though.

[Corkdarrr]

I used Enterolab and was very happy with their service. I was not happy about giving up dairy ... I didn't at first because I was feeling so much better. But I realized after a few months gluten-free, that sometimes what I thought was a glutening was really from the dairy. Now I wish I had had the soy test, too. Personally, I'm happy I know for sure. Dietary response says a lot though.

Yeah...I'd like to know for sure. But then again, I don't really want to know, either...

It's just so frustrating when you have all these weird and seemingly unrelated things going on with your body, and there's really no way to separate them! Argh.

[RiceGuy]

Well, it took six months for me to see any difference at all from the gluten-free diet. Heck, after years of damage, just how fast could things turn around? So with regard to patience, I'd say give it time. I did miss the wheat stuff I had been eating, but after awhile the cravings went away and it no longer interests me. I could care less, except for when a food just doesn't turn out right using other ingredients. I've also had to give up dairy, which was really not something I wanted, believe me. I have always enjoyed loved cheese. And now my dreams of making a gluten-free pizza are out the window since I have also had to give up nightshade foods (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc) So I wonder what's next. I sure didn't want to give up mashed potatoes, and all those wonderful things made with tomatoes...

I think we're all finding these sorts of things happening to some degree. But, over time the gut should heal, and the various sensitivities should diminish. Eventually I expect to be able to enjoy a gluten-free pizza, and who knows - maybe even a nice large pile of mashed potatoes topped with cheese!

I have not bothered to get any "official" diagnosis. The gluten-free diet is all the proof I need. I guess if you're still craving gluten and wishing to return to your former diet, you'd want something to help convince you it's not "all in your head". If that's what will give you peace of mind and the willpower to go forward, then so be it. However, consider what you'd do if the results came back negative; would you go and order a gluten-filled pizza? I'm guessing you know the answer to that! You already know the reaction your body is going to have. So in that sense you already have the results of the most reliable test there is.

This forum has helped all of us get through tough times, and it seems you are having such a time now. So I'd say hang in there.

Now as for whether the tests can tell you of other sensitivities, I'm not entirely sure. It may show the stuff you currently are sensitive to, but as so many have found, new things crop up from time to time. If it doesn't bother you yet, it may not show up. At least I doubt it would unless it is over the threshold at which the body would begin to react, but not high enough for you to have taken noticed. I think that window is a small one.

I'm biased by my past experience with doctors, as you might have guessed. I think we've all been down that road. I've learned to trust what my body tells me - to listen to it and take notice of the smallest detail I can. It doesn't always work the way I'd like, but I'm getting better at it. Bottom line is: Do what works for you. If test results are what you want to see, then get them. Just do it for the right reasons - to help you heal, not step backward so you can satisfy a temporary craving.

[Corkdarrr]

Well, it took six months for me to see any difference at all from the gluten-free diet. Heck, after years of damage, just how fast could things turn around? So with regard to patience, I'd say give it time. I did miss the wheat stuff I had been eating, but after awhile the cravings went away and it no longer interests me. I could care less, except for when a food just doesn't turn out right using other ingredients. I've also had to give up dairy, which was really not something I wanted, believe me. I have always enjoyed loved cheese. And now my dreams of making a gluten-free pizza are out the window since I have also had to give up nightshade foods (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc) So I wonder what's next. I sure didn't want to give up mashed potatoes, and all those wonderful things made with tomatoes...

I think we're all finding these sorts of things happening to some degree. But, over time the gut should heal, and the various sensitivities should diminish. Eventually I expect to be able to enjoy a gluten-free pizza, and who knows - maybe even a nice large pile of mashed potatoes topped with cheese!

I have not bothered to get any "official" diagnosis. The gluten-free diet is all the proof I need. I guess if you're still craving gluten and wishing to return to your former diet, you'd want something to help convince you it's not "all in your head". If that's what will give you peace of mind and the willpower to go forward, then so be it. However, consider what you'd do if the results came back negative; would you go and order a gluten-filled pizza? I'm guessing you know the answer to that! You already know the reaction your body is going to have. So in that sense you already have the results of the most reliable test there is.

This forum has helped all of us get through tough times, and it seems you are having such a time now. So I'd say hang in there.

Now as for whether the tests can tell you of other sensitivities, I'm not entirely sure. It may show the stuff you currently are sensitive to, but as so many have found, new things crop up from time to time. If it doesn't bother you yet, it may not show up. At least I doubt it would unless it is over the threshold at which the body would begin to react, but not high enough for you to have taken noticed. I think that window is a small one.

I'm biased by my past experience with doctors, as you might have guessed. I think we've all been down that road. I've learned to trust what my body tells me - to listen to it and take notice of the smallest detail I can. It doesn't always work the way I'd like, but I'm getting better at it. Bottom line is: Do what works for you. If test results are what you want to see, then get them. Just do it for the right reasons - to help you heal, not step backward so you can satisfy a temporary craving.

RiceGuy, my doc and I had this same conversation after he dismissed my whole gluten theory in a way that made me feel like I was an insane hypochrondriac. A positive dietary response is good enough - just because my bloodwork which was done incorrectly because he's incompetent came back negative doesn't mean I'm going to eat a dozen bagels and wash it down with a six pack of beer. I agree that the body knows best and everyone needs to spend more time trying to listen to what their body is saying. Problem is, mine is having about 45 different dialogues at once. And my brain fog is preventing me from listening to any of them - or remembering anything I do hear!

In terms of cravings, the only time I really want something is when it's sitting in front of me. A few weeks ago I was visiting my parents and every day my dad made these fabulous broiled sandwiches...I was ready to push him over, take his sandwich, and run. Yet in two months I haven't even invested in gluten-free bread 'cuz I just don't miss it that much. That being said, I do have enough self control not to push over my old man and take his food. And I have enough self control to politely decline when one of my bar customers offers me a slice of their pizza.

I'm tempted to eat gluten for a few days just to see what it does to my body. And then go off it again and see if I have the same initial response I did a two months ago.

I dunno...I'm just so frustrated right now. I do feel better than I used to. But I still have some pretty noticable brainfog as of late. I've just started really noticing joint paint, too. Which cant' be good for a 24 year-old. And I'm one of those weirdos who has GAINED weight after being forbidden to eat pizza and bagels and delicious, delicious fried foods. Bottom line, I guess I don't feel I've seen enough improvement to be convinced.

I understand it takes time to feel better all the way. But I don't think I have the willpower or the faith to do something THIS frustrating for a long period of time without seeing some sort of significant results. It's hard for me to justify it without seeing a positive change. Just look at dieting - if someone is trying to lose weight, they aren't going to stay on the same diet program for two years if they haven't seen some sort of massive change. Two months...yeah. okay. Probably still too early to tell. And I guess that would be why I am considering the test. I don't want to invest all this time and energy and frustration into something if it's the wrong thing. Maybe I need to be turning my attention to soy or corn or dairy or mold or... who knows anymore!

Sorry to vent. I just want to understand why I feel the way I do, and how to fix it. But it needs to balance with being a 24 year-old college student, as well. Clearly, I am just really struggling this week.

Thanks for reading through my anger.

-Courtney

[marciab]

Boy, do I know where you are coming from

I had to try wheat 3 seperate times to convince me that I didn't want to try it anymore. I am just thick headed that way. But, I have to say, I am no longer interested AT ALL !!

One of the times I cheated was when my daughter brought home Carraba's bread + oil + spices. That time I practically tore the bag out of her hands

So, I say try it. You'll at least get over the craving. Marcia

[Corkdarrr]

Boy, do I know where you are coming from

I had to try wheat 3 seperate times to convince me that I didn't want to try it anymore. I am just thick headed that way. But, I have to say, I am no longer interested AT ALL !!

One of the times I cheated was when my daughter brought home Carraba's bread + oil + spices. That time I practically tore the bag out of her hands

So, I say try it. You'll at least get over the craving. Marcia

Yes, marcia! That's what I'm saying. Food aversion therapy. Once you eat something and get violently ill, you're not so likely to try it again any time soon.

I'm still very frustrated though. ARgh.

[AndreaB]

I had enterolab testing done and found out I was intolerant to gluten and soy. I am gluten, soy and dairy allergic as well.

I would either suggest enterolab for intolerances or york for allergies (isn't that what they do). Allergies and intolerances are different things and you may need testing for both to give you an idea.

If you want to save money at the beginning then cut out dairy and soy for 6 months and then reintroduce a couple weeks apart. I would highly suspect one of those. I had some joint pain that went away after I went soy and gluten free, but I don't know which was causing the pain.

[Mayflowers]

Yeah, and you can get the simple gluten intolerance test alone for only $99 at Enterolab, if you really want to know if you're gluten intolerant. I wanted to know if I had the celiac gene, which I do, so I paid for the expensive test which told me I was also intolerant to milk.

[mamaw]

riceguy

you can be treated for nightshade veggies & then you will be able to eat them again........I too was having a reaction to them but I did NAET/ BIo-Set and now I'm fine eating them.I believe reg allergy testing & mainstream doctors can repair that also for you.I don't know what I would do if I couldn't eat tomatoes.......

My diet is pretty good and I truly feel bad for those who are so limited. I give them alot of credit doing that because I don't think I could give up much more....... I really didnt have a problem switching to a gluten-free diet once I found some of the better stuff.......

mamaw

[Sara-UK]

The york test (which I had, in the UK), tests for intolerances (IgG antibodies), rather than classical allergies (IgE antibodies - though I think they do do an IgE test too? But I should think if you have a 'proper' allergy you'd already know?). My results came back with loads of things I should avoid - doing wheat, gluten, dairy and eggs so far. Hell. Been away at a conference all week, and hardly ate anything - was all lovely bread, and stuff covered in sauces..and sooo many cakes and things! and I had to have none of them

at least I know i have some amount of will power.

I too want to stuff myself with bread or milk, just to see if it does do anything, but i don't know how long to leave it til I try doing it!

Sara

[Corkdarrr]

Well I placed an order for the enterolab test last nite. So I have at least set the wheels in motion. I got the test that provides the most info and it comes with a free dairy test, too.

I'm still up in the air about the allergen testing. I think I might keep my OCD food journal for a while longer and see if I don't notice any patterns.

That and I'm going to see a nutritionist after class today, so hopefully she can help me to shed some light on different ways of doing this. I can't stop gaining weight! More accurately, I can't seem to LOSE any weight. (Either way, I wasn't underweight, before...)

I need to find a way to combine my OCD gluten-free diet with weight loss.

The best part of it is that even if she doesn't know jack about Celiacs, it's free 'cuz it's through the university. So I figured I'd give her a shot before I go out and pay someone else $75 that says they are familiar with Celiacs. Such a subjective word...

I am definiately considering an elimination diet. But I need to work out the logistics of it all, first. Like how to work at a bar and be on an elimination diet!

Thanks all

-Courtney