Prometheus Labs Vs Enterolab For Genetic Testing

[Guest cassidy]

I don't know if I have celiac or gluten intolerance but I know I have some genetic problem with gluten because my mom has it to. I'm pregnant and want genetic testing on my baby on the off chance he has no genes and I can relax and not worry about him developing my problem.

I know Enterolab and Prometheus do genetic testing. I looked at the Prometheus website and it looked like they only tested for celiac genes, with no mention of gluten intolerant genes. I think Enterolab tests for both. I never had any of this done on me, so I'm not sure that I have it right.

So, since I don't know what I have, does it make sense to go with Enterolab so they can check for both, or can Prometheus check for both as well?

Any age limits on this? Can you do it on a newborn?

Thanks

[Rachel--24]

Enterolab is the only lab who tests for "sensitivity" genes. If you get tested for Celiac genes using Prometheus....and dont have a Celiac gene.....then you can be 100% positive that you *do* have sensitivity genes.

I would go for whichever test is more affordable for you. You are *guaranteed* to be positive either way with Enterolab because basically the entire population carries these genes in some combination or another. In my opinion the "sensitivity" genes dont really tell us much.....unless you are of Asian decent you will have either sensitivity genes, or celiac genes...or one of each.

If you do not have a Celiac gene.....your baby could still have a gene from your hubby.

The "sensitivity" genes arent really diagnostic of anything. Like I said, if you dont have either of the Celiac genes you're guaranteed to have 2 "sensitivity" genes. You can take it for what its worth. They are not recognized by any lab other than Enterolab.

I would assume that even if you dont have Celiac genes and the gluten-free diet is beneficial to your health you would continue with it regardless. As far as finding out the genetics to see if your baby may develop Celiac...you can find this out with either lab.

The test is a "cheek swab" so it can be done at any age.

[larry mac]

.......

The test is a "cheek swab" so it can be done at any age.

Rachel,

I had blood drawn & sent to Prometheus. I don't have it at the moment, but I think it was:

Celiac Serology:

5-marker serology panel (Anti-human tissue transglutaminase IgA, Anti-endomysial IgA, Total Serum IgA, Anti-gliadin IgA, Anti-gliadin IgG).

And the Crohn's disease test also. In all, it was about $425. I'm not sure, but I don't think we ever did the genetic testing.

best regards, lm

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[Guest cassidy]

So, if you will either have celiac genes or gluten sensitivity genes, then what is the point of genetic testing? I was hoping that they was an option where you had neither gene.

Since both are treated the same and if my son ever had symptoms I would put him on a gluten-free diet and not go through testing anyway, I guess it really doesn't matter what genes he has.

Thanks for clearing things up.

[Rachel--24]

So, if you will either have celiac genes or gluten sensitivity genes, then what is the point of genetic testing? I was hoping that they was an option where you had neither gene.

Some people want to know if they are actually susceptible to Celiac. If they carry genes which can predispose them to the disease....in this case the genetic testing can be helpful.

I agree...if your son has symptoms which clear up on the diet...it doesnt really matter what his genes are.

[happygirl]

Cassidy:

Important to note that there really isn't a lot of research linking dr. fine's "gluten sensitive" genes to anything.

Wht I'm interested in---do all people with some sort of allergic response have a "gene" for it? If not (which I've never heard of), then why are there ones for gluten (supposedly)?

Laura

[Rachel--24]

Wht I'm interested in---do all people with some sort of allergic response have a "gene" for it? If not (which I've never heard of), then why are there ones for gluten (supposedly)?

Laura

Laura,

Personally I dont think there is such a thing as gluten sensitivity genes. Like you said.....there is no real research/studies to support Dr. Fine's claim.

I think anyone who develops leaky gut will become sensitive to gluten....even those of Asian decent with the DQ4 gene (the only gene not recognized as a sensitivity gene by Dr. Fine).

[Guest cassidy]

My mother has a problem with gluten and when she found out she sent an email to the entire family. We found out yesterday that her brother (my uncle) and his daughter are now gluten-free and doing great. So, I know something runs in my family. My grandfather also died of stomach cancer. None of us were officially tested, we all just went the diet route, so would it seem more like celiac and less like gluten intolerance since there is such a family history? I didn't realize that gluten sensitivity genes were controversial. Does Dr. Fine think that gluten sensitivity is genetic as well?

[celiacgirls]

I did the Enterolab testing because it would tell me if I had the DQ1 gene as well as the DQ2 and DQ8.

I believe DQ1 is recognized by some neurologists as being linked to neurological problems due to gluten.

I also did want to know the likelihood of getting "official" celiac disease.

Since you already know there is some genetic link in your family, it might not be worth it to have your baby tested. He'll probably eat mostly gluten-free anyway and you will be quick to notice if gluten does cause a problem.

I haven't yet tested my kids but they are both gluten-free. I plan to test them at some point but it is more for curiosity than anything else. Also, if they do have one of the widely-accepted celiac genes, they might be more likely to stay on the diet as adults.

The Enterolab test was $149 when I did it.

[JerryK]

I did the gene test specifically because I wanted to know whether or not I carried the Celiac gene. I don't think there is a whole lot of value, as the earlier posters said, in the gluten sensitive gene markers, because everyone has them. In my case I have two, but do not have the Celiac gene.

In my case, the stool test and gene test indicated gluten sensitivity. Blood tests and the gene test ruled out Celiac. That's pretty much as good of an answer as you can expect.

Another thing to realize is (in my opinion and correct me if I am wrong) the gluten sensitivity genes are certainly arguable, because they are interpreted by Enterolab..and it is Enterolab that indicates which genes they think are pointers to gluten sensitivity. Granted the guy probably knows what he is talking about, but I'm sure there's plenty of room for debate.

So if you want to rule out Celiac, but not gluten sensitivity, the gene test is of value..

Of course then you could end up like me

[Mtndog]

The good thing about Prometheus is that insurance will cover it if your doctor orders it. By the time I saw a celiac GI I was already gluten-free and had such severe reactions to gluten that she just went straight to the gene test. I ended up with the DQ8.

I don't know if insurance will pay for Enterolab.

[happygirl]

My mother has a problem with gluten and when she found out she sent an email to the entire family. We found out yesterday that her brother (my uncle) and his daughter are now gluten-free and doing great. So, I know something runs in my family. My grandfather also died of stomach cancer. None of us were officially tested, we all just went the diet route, so would it seem more like celiac and less like gluten intolerance since there is such a family history? I didn't realize that gluten sensitivity genes were controversial. Does Dr. Fine think that gluten sensitivity is genetic as well?

Cassidy: To my knowledge, Dr. Fine is the only one who recognizes the gluten sensitive genes. So yes, I would definitely say it is controversial in that we just don't know enough. I see it two ways---there are multiple genes linked to multiple foods (milk, soy, eggs, etc) that we don't know about, or there aren't genes. I don't really know what to think, considering gluten intolerance should typically be just like a casein, or soy, or egg, etc. intolerance....we never hear anything about those with "true" allergies (IgE) having specific genes....so why is there one for only gluten (delayed) allergy (IgG)?

Again, I don't know, I'm just throwing out the devil's advocate conversation that runs in my head. My problem is that I'm often too logical and can see the potentials in both sides of the argument!

[chrissy]

my family is involved in a celiac study being done at the university of california, irvine. there is no question that this is a reputable institution. the gal in charge of the study says she is not aware of any gluten sensitivity gene, and she said that they do not accept anyone into the study that has been diagnosed by enterolab.

dr. fine has been testing people for how many years? and he still can't get together his notes to publish??????