Please Look At Enterolabs Results And Comment!

[Guest Maggi315]

Here's the results of my testing at Enterolabs. I see that my malabsorption is high, plus it says I have two of the genes associated with gluten tolerance, but not celiac (at least as I understand it).

I was kind of hoping something would be positive so I would have motivation to try the diet, but it looks like I don't need to.

what else can cause that kind of malabsorption besides gluten intolerance? I know many just suggest doing the diet, but that is soooo difficult for me, I haven't been very successful in the past, especially cooking for a family of 7. So i wanted to get the opinions of others and hope that others could clarify the results a little bit more.

Date: 9/10/08

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

Fecal Antigliadin IgA 6 (Normal Range <10 Units)

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

Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score 721 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 0503

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

Interpretation of Fecal Antigliadin IgA: Intestinal antigliadin IgA antibody was below the upper limit of normal, and hence there is no direct evidence of active gluten sensitivity from this test. However, because 1 in 500 people cannot make IgA at all, and rarely, and 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 a syndrome or symptoms known to be associated with gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet may help you despite a negative test. If you have no syndrome or symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity, you can follow a gluten-containing healthy diet and retest in 3-5 years; or you may opt to go gluten-free as a purely preventive measure.

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 HLA-DQB1 genes predisposing to celiac sprue (HLA-DQB1*0201 or HLA-DQB1*0302), HLA gene analysis reveals that you have two copies of a gene that predisposes to gluten sensitivity (any DQ1, DQ2 not by HLA-DQB1*0201, or DQ3 not by HLA-DQB1*0302). 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.

[confused]

Different things that can cause malabsoption are lyme disease, heavy metal toxicity and mold toxicity. Sometimes candida can cause high malabsorption. YOu can also be iga deficient and that is why your numbers are low.

What were your symptoms to begin with?

paula

[ShayFL]

I also tested under Enterolab ranges. But my IgA is at the very bottom. I have had a POS response to the diet.

[fedora]

Did you have the celiac blood panel done already? If you did it should have tested your total IGA antibody level. some people make no IGA antibodies at all, but some people are weak producers of it. If you did get that done you could post your total IGA level and the range given by the lab. IF you are deficient or low then Enterolab's test won't show that.

[Guest Maggi315]

I did have the blood work done and all was normal, including my IgA. so I don't know what's going on, and I don't much else about malabsorption except when related to celiac. I have been tested for lyme several times, including the western blot, lupus, mercury and some other metals, and all have been normal. I do have a low white blood count right now, it's around 4.2 which is very bottom of normal, but usually that has been pretty midrange, not sure what is going on right now. I thought it would be higher since I do have allergies, but that doesn't seem to be acting up right now.

[Rachel--24]

I did have the blood work done and all was normal, including my IgA. so I don't know what's going on, and I don't much else about malabsorption except when related to celiac. I have been tested for lyme several times, including the western blot, lupus, mercury and some other metals, and all have been normal. I do have a low white blood count right now, it's around 4.2 which is very bottom of normal, but usually that has been pretty midrange, not sure what is going on right now. I thought it would be higher since I do have allergies, but that doesn't seem to be acting up right now.

I had a high malabsorption score as well (912). I also tested positive for both antigliadin IgA and tTG.....although I did not carry either of the Celiac genes and all previous Celiac testing was negative.

In my case the malabsorption was caused by other issues.....and did not resolve with the gluten-free diet.

I would not rule out the possibility of Lyme or metals....these things can be very difficult to determine without thoroughly investigating them. Negative tests for either of these things does not rule them out.

Most Lyme testing is inadequate.....the labs most doctors use have a low sensitivity. IgeneX is the best lab with the highest sensitivity. This is the lab that Dr.'s who specialize in Lyme treatment use. If they dont use this lab (or one of the other specialty labs) then they probably arent very knowledgeable about the disease. You are almost guaranteed a negative result with some of these other labs....even if you do have Lyme.

Also, Lyme is primarily diagnosed based on symptoms and history. Its a clinical diagnosis because as of now there is no test available which is 100% reliable. Positive lab results depend on the state of the immune system and whether or not it is actively fighting the infection (producing antibodies).

I have had exposure to Lyme (according to tests) and have had many additional tests to determine how much of a role its playing in my health problems. My IgeneX Western Blots were negative.

I do have problems with metals (esp. mercury).....and actually my health problems started immediately after dental work. The problem was not apparant in hair analysis....nor did it show up as an obvious problem in urine tests (following chelation).

These tests are not conclusive.....and most people who are toxic from heavy metals are not able to excrete them well (which is why they do not show up in these tests). A person can be extremely toxic from mercury and yet its not showing up in the tests.....these people are the most toxic...they are unable to detox mercury (and other metals) efficiently.

I improved my malabsorption issues by removing many other problematic foods and am currently working toward resolving detoxification issues (in order to "release" the heavy metal burden as well as to resolve many of the food intolerances that I've aquired as a result of impaired enzyme functions).

There are so many possibilities when it comes to malabsorption.

A low white blood cell count can indicate infection.

[Guest Maggi315]

Wow, reading your post makes me think I need to revisit the lyme issue. I have many of the symptoms and I have the lesions on my brain MRI. I would guess if I do have lyme, I have had it for years, and when i googled the symptoms, I see many are similar to gluten intolerance.

thanks, I appreciate al the help and info people have been giving me.

[Rachel--24]

If you're interested there's a Lyme thread on this board (in the Leaky Gut Forum).....lots of info. can be found there.

Good luck to you.