Enterolab Results - Comment?

[Nevadan]

I'm new to this gluten thing and would like a little bit of the experences of the other forum members re interpreting my Enterolab results.

Background: I'm male, 60 yrs old, very active and seemingly healthy but with a lifelong problem with intestinal bloat, gas, and constipation. I'm also diagnosed with osteoporosis. Base on the latter I saw an article linking osteo with celiac. I wasn't familiar with celiac at all, but after researching it a bit, I saw my other three symptoms as possibly indicating gluten sensitivity and/or celiac. Therefore I decided to try gluten-free. Within 48 hrs the b, g, and c were gone. I did 3 gluten challenges and each time within 48 hrs b, g, and c were back. Then I decided to submit samples to Enterolab after about 10 days of gluten-free diet. I got the results today:

Fecal Antigliadin IgA 22 units (normal <10)

Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA 17 units (normal <10)

Fecal Fat Score 84 (normal < 300)

Gene analysis: HLA-DQB1*0602,0602 (equal to DQ1 subtype DQ6, I think)

Their interpretation:

I don't have the genes likely to cause full blown celiac, but do have genes related to gluten sensitivity.

The IgA tests show present negative reaction to gluten.

The fecal fat score does not show any significant malabsorption.

I should avoid gluten lest it lead to real malabsorption in the future.

They recommend that I should stay gluten-free.

Any comments based on experience with gluten sensitivity and Enterolab testing would be appreciated. As usual I'm trying decide how serious my condition is.

Thanks for any comments.

I will be out of town from tomorrow until Sunday, so won't be able to respond to posts until then.

George

[Guest barbara3675]

After staying off gluten and seeing positive results, that in itself should tell you that gluten isn't for you. Then with the results you have, you know that you are gluten sensitive, so why risk eating the stuff and take a chance on getting things wrong with you that you don't need to. I did the Enterolab thing and found I have the gene for celiac and am gluten sensitive with some numbers that are slightly higher than yours. I eat gluten-free and feel much better. They also said not to drink cow's milk. Now that I my tummy is all better with the gluten thing, I can take most all cow's milk products that are processed---except I use rice milk on my cereal and soy ice cream rather that regular. Once you get used to eating gluten-free, it really isn't so bad. I think of it as a challenge and something great that I am doing for myself. I sure wish I could do that in respect to my weight. Barbara

[KaitiUSA]

From those results and you feeling better off of gluten I would say definitely stay off of gluten. You may not have celiac, which causes the damage but you have a gluten intolerance that is causing symptoms.

If you eat gluten and then have symptoms it will pull your immunity down and you may experience other problems so it is in your best interest to stay gluten free.

[Carriefaith]

From your results, I would say that you have a gluten intolerance or maybe even celiac (Although it is hard to tell since you didn't have a celiac blood test or biopsy). Feeling better on the diet is also another postive result. The fact that you have osteoporosis may indicate malabsorption of Calcium and Vitamin D, If you have celiac this will get better with time. I'm assuming that you are taking supplements, but if not, maybe talk to your doctor about it.

[skbird]

I don't have either of the Celiac genes either, and my score was 9 for the IGA and 7 for the Antitissue Transglutaminase but I had been gluten free for 5 months at that point and Dr. Fine at EnteroLab recommended I stay off gluten anyway. I do have a very positive dietary response so that helps.

In fact, I am DQ1 - subtype 6 as well, and that is known to be related to gluten intolerance problems, also gluten ataxia (where gluten consumption affects your central nervous system). Since you are double DQ1 - 6, you are more apt to notice these effects. Some things associated with gluten ataxia are gait issues, peripheral neurapathy, mood disorders, and migraine.

My gastrointestinal symptoms were a lot like your's, though I was beginning to have several bouts a year of diarrhea that would last for a week or two. I have found the longer I'm off of gluten, the more pronounced my reaction to it is - that further reinforces my desire to avoid it.

I think it would be a good idea for you to avoid gluten. It sounds like it makes you feel better and you have test results to back you up. While you are unlikely to ever develop full Celiac (gene result, also you have no malabsorption), that doesn't mean you won't still develop other health issues as your body sees gluten as a poison.

Hope this helps.

Stephanie

[Nevadan]

Many thanks to those who replied. All help is appreciated.

I should have been more clear in my original post re my question. First I would not consider going back to gluten - it just feels too good without it. My real question was regarding the interpretation of the Enterolab results, particularly the gene testing in conjunction with the antibody and malabsorption test results. This was the first time I had encountered the "you don't have the specific genes for celiac, but you do have some genes related to gluten sensitivity" Special thanks to skbird for the comments on those genetic results. I've read Danna Korn's "Wheat Free, Worry Free" (which I found very helpful), but I'm still not clear on the differences between the use of the terms gluten alergy, gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerant, and celiac disease as they might relate to relative health risks. I know I should accept the "who cares what you call it, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck..." attitude, but I'm a scientist (physicist) by education so I am inclined to want to understand all the nitty-gritty in the results.

Thanks to all again.

George

[gf4life]

Dr. Fine is the only one who tests for the gluten intolerance genes as far as I know. The other labs only check for the 2 known Celiac genes (DQ2 & DQ8). In my signature you can see which ones my family has and my boys would have come back negative for the genes at any other lab. I am thankful that he is so far advanced in the genetic aspect of gluten intolerance. One of my sons specialists (who is very current on gene studies) say that the genetic study of Celiac Disease is no where near completion. There could be so many more genes responsible for causing a negative reaction to gluten. He is not willing to say my son is definitely NOT Celiac, since he has such an obvious reaction to gluten, and such a dramatic recovery from symptoms on the gluten-free diet...(as have all of the 4 of us in my family on the gluten-free diet)

God bless,

Mariann