Enterolab Testing

[B'sgirl]

I want to go through Enterolab to have my son diagnosed for celiac since the blood test and biopsy aren't very reliable for kids under 5 (he is 18 months). For anyone who has gone through Enterolab, did your insurance cover any of it? How was it reported to insurance? Was the doctor involved in any way or did you do it all on your own? Were you satisfied with it? Anything I should know about it?

My son's pediatrician doesn't know anything about it and is convinced that the biopsy is the only conclusive way to diagnose. What do you think of that?

[Lisa]

I want to go through Enterolab to have my son diagnosed for celiac since the blood test and biopsy aren't very reliable for kids under 5 (he is 18 months). For anyone who has gone through Enterolab, did your insurance cover any of it? How was it reported to insurance? Was the doctor involved in any way or did you do it all on your own? Were you satisfied with it? Anything I should know about it?

My son's pediatrician doesn't know anything about it and is convinced that the biopsy is the only conclusive way to diagnose. What do you think of that?

Enterolabs cannot diagnose for Celiac. They can, however, test for sensitivities and they do gene testing. I suspect that due to his young age, testing for sensitivities many also be unreliable.

If I were in your position, I would put him on the diet and if you see a positive dietary response, you have your answer. At a later age you can have him gene tested.

[Rachel--24]

For anyone who has gone through Enterolab, did your insurance cover any of it? How was it reported to insurance? Was the doctor involved in any way or did you do it all on your own? Were you satisfied with it? Anything I should know about it?

My insurance did not cover the cost....I paid out of pocket. No Dr. was involved....anyone can order the tests online without a doctor.

The Dr. who runs Enterolab has never published anything for peer reveiw. Most Dr.'s do not acknowledge Enterolab and will not make a diagnosis based on positive stool tests.

Personally, I still question the validity of the tests since nothing has ever been published. I tested positive with a high malabsorption score...however, my symptoms did not resolve during the time that I was gluten-free (nearly 3 years).

I would forgo any Enterolab testing...unless you are interested in the genetic testing. They test for both Celiac genes and "sensitivity genes". You are guaranteed to test positive (according to Enterolab)...because nearly the entire population carries either celiac genes, sensitivity genes, or a combination. The "sensitivity" genes are only acknowledged by Enterolab...to my knowledge no other lab tests for these genes.

I found it useful as far as knowing whether or not I carried Celiac genes....which I do not.

As previously stated Enterolab cannot diagnose Celiac. A positive gene test does not diagnose Celiac. The best test would be a positive response to the diet.

If I were in your shoes I would probably do the bloodwork/biopsy....if results are negative I would then go ahead with the diet anyway. In case there are still problems after he is on the diet you may feel better having already done the testing....and not having to decide whether or not to put him back on gluten for tests later on.