Is Enterolabs Worth It?

[amy74]

So I am new here and looking for help.

I had my gallbladder removed 4 years ago. I did not have gall stones. I have never been over weight and am what people would typically call slim. I still had issues after gall bladder removal, so I took Welchol to stop the runs for 3+/- years after.

I still had problems and in the last year, started having serious stomach pain - debilitating. At least once a week, I would have to stay in bed. I kept a record of what I ate, showed my GI, etc. He did endoscopy and a biopsy, which turned out negative. I think I had the IGa blood test - also negative.

All last summer, regardless of diet and exercise, I looked BLOATED! The bloating was in my face and belly area. I had to start wearing size 6's to compensate (I have always been a 2/4). While a 6 is not big, it was really weird for me. And I was still having the stomach pain.

I decided a couple of months ago to try low carb - hence NO gluten at all. No chance with low carb. The bloating went away after about a month, I felt better - less fatigued, no gas, no runs, etc. Oh, and I used to get a circular rash on my inner left arm. That disappeared too! I recently went to Jersey to visit my dad, and went gluten again - pizza, subs, cheese steaks, etc. The rash immediately came back and I was in the bathroom a lot.

While I feel that I definitely gluten sensitive, I'd like to confirm for peace of mind. I also had a reaction to eggs recently, and would like to be tested.

Has anyone had experience with Enterolabs? And do my symptoms warrant testing?

At the end of my rope....

thanks!

[Lori2]

If you're going to Enterolab for testing just your gluten sensitivity, I could save you some money and predict that they will probably 99% find you positive.

However, if you are also going to have some food sensitivity testing, I would say, "Go for it." Although it was expensive, I found their information worth it for me.

[Lisa]

There currently is no test to diagnose gluten sensitivity, regardless of what Enterolabs says. Obviously, I am not a fan.

Open Original Shared Link

"With gluten sensitivity patients, there is a spectrum of symptoms and manifestations. We’ve seen some people with Dermatitis Herpeteformis who have no intestinal damage. There is currently no test specifically for gluten sensitivity. If a patient’s symptoms indicate issues with gluten and tests for celiac are negative, the patient can be diagnosed as gluten-sensitive. As with celiac disease, a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for gluten sensitivity."

In my opinion, I would save your money. You already know that you feel bad when digesting gluten. Paying several hundreds of dollars to tell you what you already know....

Have your doctor biopsy your "rash" when it's active. It could be DH, which is associated with Celiac.

[Skylark]

In my opinion, I would save your money. You already know that you feel bad when digesting gluten. Paying several hundreds of dollars to tell you what you already know....

Have your doctor biopsy your "rash" when it's active. It could be DH, which is associated with Celiac.

Enterolab is LESS reliable than feeling better gluten-free. I used to get exactly the rash you're describing on the inside of my elbow. It was diagnosed as atopic dermatitis. It went away when I got off gluten. I don't think mine was DH because it didn't really itch.

[amy74]

Thank you all!!!! I guess there is part of me that wants "proof". I will hold off for now. Even though my family thinks I am crazy!!!!!!

If it continues though gluten free, I will have to be tested...