Susie's Enterolab Results

[Ursa Major]

Well, today I had to see Susie's principal, who was contemplating expelling her for missing so much school. It had only been 15 days since Susie's kit had been sent back to Enterolab, but I really needed evidence that something is wrong with her, and she isn't just lazy and skipping school for no reason.

So, I called Enterolab and asked if it was possible to get the results today. Kathy checked, and told me (at 11:00 AM) that the nurse had the raw results, and would work on it right away and send me the official results within the next two hours.

True to their word, they sent me the e-mail at 1:04 PM, ten minutes before I had to leave to go to the school (phew!!!!!!!!).

Here are the results:

Date: 11/21/2007

Name: ........, Susan

A) Gluten Sensitivity Stool and Gene Panel Complete *Best test/best value

Fecal Antigliadin IgA 12 (Normal Range <10 Units)

Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA 8 Units (Normal Range <10 Units)

Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score 816 Units (Normal Range <300 Units)

Fecal anti-casein (cow's milk) IgA antibody 6 Units (Normal Range <10 Units)

HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 1 0301

HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 2 0502

Serologic equivalent: HLA-DQ 3,1 (Subtype 7,5)

Interpretation of Fecal Antigliadin IgA: Intestinal antigliadin IgA antibody was elevated, indicating that you have active dietary gluten sensitivity. For optimal health, resolution of symptoms (if you have them), and prevention of small intestinal damage and malnutrition, osteoporosis, and damage to other tissues (like nerves, brain, joints, muscles, thyroid, pancreas, other glands, skin, liver, spleen, among others), it is recommended that you follow a strict and permanent gluten free diet. As gluten sensitivity is a genetic syndrome, you may want to have your relatives screened as well.

Interpretation of Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA: The level of intestinal IgA antibodies to the human enzyme tissue transglutaminase was below the upper limit of normal, and hence, there is no evidence of a gluten-induced autoimmune reaction.

Interpretation of Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score: A fecal fat score greater than or equal to 300 Units indicates there is an increased amount of dietary fat in the stool which usually is due to gluten-induced small intestinal malabsorption/damage when associated with gluten sensitivity. Values between 300-600 Units are mild elevations, 600-1000 Units moderate elevations, and values greater than 1000 Units are severe elevations. Any elevated fecal fat value should be rechecked in one year after treatment to ensure that it does not persist because chronic fat malabsorption is associated with osteoporosis among other nutritional deficiency syndromes.

Interpretation of Fecal anti-casein (cow's milk) IgA antibody: Levels of fecal IgA antibody to a food antigen greater than or equal to 10 are indicative of an immune reaction, and hence immunologic "sensitivity" to that food. For any elevated fecal antibody level, it is recommended to remove that food from your diet. Values less than 10 indicate there currently is minimal or no reaction to that food and hence, no direct evidence of food sensitivity to that specific food. However, because 1 in 500 people cannot make IgA at all, and rarely, some people can still have clinically significant reactions to a food antigen despite the lack of a significant antibody reaction (because the reactions primarily involve T cells), if you have an immune syndrome or symptoms associated with food sensitivity, it is recommended that you try a strict removal of suspect foods from your diet for up to 12 months despite a negative test.

Interpretation Of HLA-DQ Testing: Although you do not possess the main genes predisposing to celiac sprue (HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8), HLA gene analysis reveals that you have two copies of a gene that predisposes to gluten sensitivity (DQ1 or DQ3 not subtype 8). Having two copies of a gluten sensitive gene, means that each of your parents, and all of your children (if you have them) will possess at least one copy of the gene. Two copies also means there is an even stronger predisposition to gluten sensitivity than having one gene and the resultant immunologic gluten sensitivity may be more severe.

I don't understand why the Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA is only 8.

I know that Susie has an intolerance to casein, and hasn't consumed dairy in years (other than cheating once in a while, that is why it is as high as it is).

Her malabsorption score is fairly high, which I expected.

She is off gluten as of today, and is actually cooperating, because now it is official. No more saying to me, that I just 'want everybody to be gluten intolerant' and to leave her alone.

I printed out the results for the principal (well, I omitted a few things, she won't know the difference). She is copying it for all Susie's teachers as well, and will talk to them. Suddenly things are looking up, everybody will be much more understanding.

I told the principal that it will take time for Susie to get better and to have energy, and she understands that.

On Friday I will take Susie to have her blood drawn to test for deficiencies, so we know where we need to supplement.

Anyway, I feel so much better now, knowing what is wrong. I hope that the diet will do the trick. Our house will be 100% gluten-free as soon as the loaf of bread we've got will be gone. I bet my husband will be healthier as a result, too (mind you, he thinks he is 100% healthy now, but I bet it can get even better).

I think Enterolab is awesome, that they where so understanding and getting the results to me so quickly.

[Lisa]

Ursa,

I am glad you have some answers....for everyone. I hope Susie feels better soon.

[Lisa]

oops, double post.

[jerseyangel]

Ursa,

Wow--well, there you have it. I'm glad Enterolab cooperated with you and you had the results in time for your meeting at the school.

I hope that Susie responds well and quickly to the diet--and it's great that she is doing it willingly now.

It will be interesting to see how even your husband does without gluten--best of luck to all of you! Mom really did know best