Enterolab Results

[artselegance]

Any advice on the following results is greatly appreciated. I have been following gluten-free diet since August and have found it very difficult, now CF also. No wonder I haven't felt lots better. I've substituted so many things I missed with dairy, chocolate, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, etc. So what am I going to be left with....I know fruits, veggies and meat....I'm just too tired to research it. I think I shall finish my kingsize Snicker and go to bed.

Thanks for any input.

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

Fecal Antigliadin IgA 48 (Normal Range <10 Units)

Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA 34 Units (Normal Range <10 Units)

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

Fecal anti-casein (cow's milk) IgA antibody 21 Units (Normal Range <10 Units)

HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 1 0302

HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 2 0202

Serologic equivalent: HLA-DQ 3,2 (Subtype 8,2)

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: You have an autoimmune reaction to the human enzyme tissue transglutaminase, secondary to dietary gluten sensitivity.

Interpretation of Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score: Provided that dietary fat is being ingested, a fecal fat score less than 300 indicates there is no malabsorbed dietary fat in stool indicating that digestion and absorption of nutrients is currently normal.

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: HLA-DQB1 gene analysis reveals that you have one of the main genes that predisposes to gluten sensitivity and celiac sprue, HLA-DQB1*0201 or HLA-DQB1*0302. Each of your offspring has a 50% chance of receiving this gene from you, and at least one of your parents passed it to you. You also have a non-celiac gene predisposing to gluten sensitivity (any DQ1, DQ2 not by HLA-DQB1*0201, or DQ3 not by HLA-DQB1*0302). Having one celiac gene and one 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 a gluten sensitive gene. Having two copies also means there is an even stronger predisposition to gluten sensitivity than having one gene and the resultant immunologic gluten sensitivity or celiac disease may be more severe.

[ShayFL]

They mean you are actively reacting to gluten, but you caught it early enough to where the damage might not be too severe (no malabsorption yet). You have a CELIAC gene and pretty severe gluten intolerance according to Enterolab.

MANY Celiacs cannot tolerate dairy while they are healing. And have to go gluten-free and CF at least for a few months or so. You can try adding it back in later. Some can never eat dairy again, but many can.

The Enterolab shows you should go dairy free as well.

I know it is hard, look at my signature. But it is doable. I tried adding dairy back in for a brief while, but discovered that I was gaining too much weight. Dairy has always made me gain weight abnormally. So I am off it again.

There is still plenty to eat. Just ask us for help!

Do some research on your genes. The Celiac gene you have can also predispose you to T1 Diabetes. There is also evidence that consuming dairy can lead to diabetes. Research this.

So it is in your best interest to stay gluten-free for life and adopt a diet of whole foods and low/to no junk foods. Lean meats, low sugar fruits, lots of veggies, whole gluten-free grains, eggs, nuts & seeds.

You can do it gradually. Ween off of dairy and junk foods to make it easier.

[Mother of Jibril]

In April I had stop eating dairy products (casein) because it was having a horrible effect on my newborn son. At first I thought... How am I going to do this? I'm from Wisconsin! What kind of cheesehead can't eat cheese??!!! It was NOT easy. Especially during ice cream season. But... it does get better. I eat a little soy yogurt when I'm hungry for something creamy. Have you ever tried Tofutti ice cream bars? Chocolate almond milk is good too.

I just found out that I have the DQ8 gene and another one that makes me sensitive to both gluten and casein. So... my dairy days are pretty much over It's better than getting another autoimmune disorder.

I agree with Shay... you don't have go 100% gluten-free, casein-free at once. The sooner the better, but definitely start tapering off on the foods that are damaging your health.

[Mother of Jibril]

Back up on the Tofutti thing... their "Better Than Cream Cheese" is good, but I think the ice cream bars (not the containers of ice cream) have gluten.

I'm still getting used to this too.

[artselegance]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm just a little overwhelmed...and maybe now have an understanding as to why I have gained so much weight in the last 10 months and also have not been able to lose any since going gluten-free. I have really turned to alot of dairy, especially cheeses.

I also am B12 deficient which is what lead to all of this anyway, or as best I can understand. I had a major B12 crash in May/June and that I believe is the trauma that made all the other symptoms surface.

Now on to the food bit. I have not ordered gluten-free stuff yet because I wanted these lab results before I invested the money. Please share any valuable information you may have and just where to start. As time and energy allows, I will research and read and I know with time I will learn.

Thanks for everyone's help!!!!

[ShayFL]

Your B12 is low. Did you get injections? They are the best way to get it back up PLUS daily sublinguals.

Your Ferritin is likely low as well. You should have a CBC run to test your blood and Iron/Iron stores.

Did they test your Thyroid? That is an issue for MANY of us. This can also keep you from losing weight.

***On the food***

I dont eat any processed foods anymore. I eat lean meats (beef, chix,turkey,fish & seafood), oils (virgin/cold pressed oilive, coconut primarily), ALL veggies (except I dont eat nightshades right now), low sugar fruits (berries, peaches, apples, pears, coconut), carby squashes (butternut, acorn, spaghetti), nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts & pumpkin seeds mostly) and eggs.

But others can chime in on th processed foods.

[Mother of Jibril]

This is totally my personal point of view, but...

I think your ability and need to take things out of your diet is going to depend on two things:

1) How desperate are you?

2) How much time and ability do you have to cook?

I'm really strict on keeping alcohol, pork products, gluten, and cow's milk out of my diet (and corn, but I'm planning to give it another try in a few months). That's a lot to deal with. Whole foods are definitely the best for you... and if you're really having a lot of health problems I think it's absolutely worth it to put yourself on that kind of diet. For me personally, my health is not that bad. I'm working hard to improve it... and there are a lot of things I avoid (aspartame, nitrates, hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, etc...), but I also have two small children and a full-time job. I eat cereal, Lara bars, rice cakes, some gluten-free baked goods... I actually like cooking and I think I'm pretty good at it, but I have a lot going on. Fatigue and depression have been a serious problem for me... I've learned that I need to be kind to myself and not get overworked. I do my best I'm certainly not perfect.

I think everyone needs to figure out what their own goals and priorities are. IMO, with a celiac gene, gluten-free should be at the top of your list.