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Enterolab Stool Test

coldnight

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coldnight Apprentice
coldnight
Posted

From what I understand, this technically can't diagnose celiac disease, but can prove an immunological reaction to gluten?

Is this correct? Or can it indicate celiac disease? I wasn't going to do it, because the diet has been proof. I'm taking, I estimate, 1/20th of the medicine I was, and even that is too much. But, I guess I'm just neurotic? I need a name to put to this, something I can say, this is it. I'm positive wheat is it. But I don't know what to call it, or perhaps I'd like reassurance that wheat IS it beyond the effect of the diet.

I'm sure many of you have done this, did you find it helpful?

Thanks again.

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lbd Rookie
lbd
Posted

This is a big issue on this forum. I, personally, found that the Enterolab test was very important for me because it confirmed what I already knew to be the truth - that I had a problem with gluten. In addition, it pinpointed a problem with casein, which was the key to ending my lifelong migraines. I knew the gluten-free diet was helping my health, but I guess I kept wondering if I was just imagining it. The Enterolab tests gave me the confirmation I needed to really pursue and stick to a gluten-free lifestyle. I looked carefully into the science behind it (I have a good science background) and am very satisfied that the tests are accurate and valid. Some will question if Enterolab can give a diagnosis, but there are so many problems with the blood tests and endoscopic procedures giving false negatives, that I question whether they are good diagnostic tools either.

Laurie

mftnchn Explorer
mftnchn
Posted

I agree with Laurie, Enterolab can be valuable when you carefully consider what it offers and your own situation. The gold standard is great when a person fits it, but many of us for one reason or another are left with a more nebulous situation in terms of a final diagnosis. And there are limitations to the "gold standard" approach, too.

I did Enterolab on a whim (it was recommended to my daughter by her doctor) when I was looking for answers to chronic constipation. By the time I got the results I was in China for 10 months and had no access to blood tests or biopsy (accurate ones at least). I can't find anyone here that has even heard of celiac disease, LOL! Anyway, I had phone consults with two of my doctors and both did NOT want me to wait to go gluten-free.

My Enterolab tests were startlingly positive. I am double DQ2, so these results plus response to gluten-free diet, plus profound malabsorption issues later confirmed with various tests, has given me a clinical diagnosis of celiac. I had a previous endoscopy (no biopsy) that has pix of the duodenum that are suggestive as well. It was done here in China and no suggestion was made of abnormality, plus they didn't keep any copies, so all I have is a tiny picture as evidence. I have also apparently had continuing villi damage because I haven't been digesting carbs (the digestive enzymes formed in the villi are inadequate), so now I am on SCD and finally seeing some improvement.

It took me a year to finally confirm the diagnosis in my own mind. I have weighed all the evidence, not just gone by the Enterolab. My doctors are fully convinced, but I don't expect that my Enterolab results will be convincing to most health practitioners. I may ask for a follow up biopsy this year.

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      The blood tests you had done are not the main ones. The two main ones are the "Total IGA" (to check for IGA deficiency) and the "TTG-IGA". Current guidelines for the "gluten challenge" when people have been gluten free for a significant time period are the daily consumption of at least10g of gluten (about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks leading up to the day of the blood draw. That should give you some perspective.
    • Xravith
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    • trents
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      By trents · Posted

      As Scott said, in order for celiac disease testing to be valid, you need to be eating generous amounts of gluten on a regular basis for weeks or months before the blood draw. The blood tests are designed to detect antibodies that the immune system produces in response to the ingestion of gluten. It takes time for them to build up in the blood to detectable levels.
    • Scott Adams
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      By Scott Adams · Posted

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    • Scott Adams
      Buckwheat

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      I would only add that cross contamination with wheat may still be a possibility, so it's still best to seek out buckwheat that is labeled "gluten-free."
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