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I am happy to receive my results, but ...
Fecal Anti-gliadin IgA 15 units (normal range is less than 10 units)
Fecal Anti-casein (cow's milk) IgA 8 units (normal range is less than 10 units)
Fecal Anti-ovalbumin (chicken egg) IgA 11 units (normal range is less
than 10 units)
Fecal Anti-soy IgA 8 units (normal range is less than 10 units)
HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 1 0202
HLA-DQB1 Molecular analysis, Allele 2 0303
Serologic equivalent: HLA-DQ 2,3 (Subtype 2,9)
This is very much Greek to me, even after reading their explanations. I understand that I am gluten sensitive, and they suggested a GF diet for life. I feel I'm casein sensitive even though it states 8 units, and I do take a Lactaid before every meal, which I hope helps, but I do avoid dairy mostly.
I didn't know about the egg sensitivity, but I have used Egg Substitute for some time now, although, I'm sure I've had foods which have egg as an ingredient, but I will forever try to avoid eggs, period.
Now, the rest is definitely Greek...from EnteroLab's explanation, I do have 2 copies of a gene which predisposes to gluten sensitivity, which means that my two children will possess at least one copy of the gene. They said it also means that when there are two copies it is an even stronger predisposition to gluten sensitivity than having one gene and that it may be more severe. ?????
Sooooo....I definitely will be avoiding anything gluten. Interestingly, I have been GF now for a little over one week, and I have had very few episodes of the horrible D, so I pretty much knew the results would show some kind of gluten sensitivity.
Back when the D first started, I was being tested for so many things, one being Celiac, which turned out normal, as did all the other tests, including parasites, stones, H. pylori, CT scans (pelvic and tummy), US, and I can't remember everything else. So, this surely must have been all in my head, and I really didn't have severe D! Isn't it awful what we go through for a Dx. Even with this not-so-good Dx of MC after my colonoscopy, I'm just happy for any improvement, thanks to this site and all of you. Gluten-free is the answer to my prayers. And, shoot, I didn't like eggs anyway!
For over 50 years now, I have been hypothyroid, and have been on Synthroid and Cytomel, which I would like to be rid of both those two drugs and start Armour, which is supposed to be more natural. I just need to find a good Endo. I now correlate these years of thyroid disease with Gluten sensitivity.
I've also had osteoporosis for over 35+ years. I now correlate all this with gluten sensitivity. Gosh, not to mention all the tummy problems throughout the years.
I can say, however, going gluten free has helped tremendously. No more gas and bloaty tummy, lots less D, (I can now go wherever I want without worry), although, I still look for Restrooms, first thing. I am hoping this will last.
My problem...I take and have taken 1 baby ASA for many years now, per my cardiologist. I have not yet quit taking it, so I'm torn as to what to do.
It is a struggle to change an entire eating and cooking habit. The recipes on this site help lots, but I did have a failed bread tonight ... ate it anyway! The change is tough.
Please, can anyone explain further the gene test, which I'm not sure I have in my head yet. I do not understand the Serologic equivalent:
HLA-DQ 2,3 (Subtype 2,9).
Do I tell both my kids that someday they may have the dreaded D or GI problems and should they go GF. They are adults and would understand, but because it does not touch them yet, I don't know if they would welcome the suggestion. My daughter (43) just did get over a round of abx for H. pylori, which we still don't know where that came from. She travels a lot, however. My son (46) would listen to the advice, then ignore it, I'm sure! He would never ask for directions, either!
All in all, I am grateful for a dx after so many tests/months, and I'm grateful for a potential cure, or at least, long-term remission.
I had my first encounter with a group during a seminar, going through the buffet line. There was only a couple items I could have, that being grapes and pineapple. I hurried through in the hopes no one would see me, but they did and comments were coming left and right. ...you're already too thin, honey, you need to eat....I could never not eat bread, I would die... I said, well, I hope I don't! And, we all had a good laugh. I realize people check out what you put on your plate, so I came prepared. I tucked a sandwich in my purse. Peanut butter to the rescue.
garina
Enterolab results today
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Garina,
As far as the dairy issue is concerned, it's possible that you may just be temporarily lactose intolerant, and not casein-sensitive. Anyone with active gut inflammation is automatically going to be lactose intolerant, because the small intestine is unable to produce adequate lactase enzyme while inflammed, (thus proving that the small intestine is also inflamed when MC is active). After you reach remission, you may be able to reintroduce dairy products back into your diet. I was able to do so, after my gut healed, (though I rarely touch the stuff, these days). And not being sensitive to soy will make your recovery much easier.
FWIW, they say that older folks are not supposed to take Armour, (I'm not sure why, and apparently many insurance companies won't pay for it for anyone past 65, I believe), but I switched to it, a couple of years ago, and I wouldn't switch back.
I wouldn't worry about the genes. Everyone here has either 2 celiac genes, or one celiac gene and one gluten-sensitive gene, or 2 gluten-sensitive genes. Your genes are some of the least likely to cause unusual problems, when compared with the genes of just about anyone else on the board. Most of us have genes that predispose to more issues, or more serious issues. The odds of your offspring developing MC are very, very low, unless they should start showing the symptoms of gluten-sensitivity, in which case they should cut it out of their diet, ASAP, and maybe MC would not develop. Unless they inherited a celiac gene from their father, they cannot develop true celiac sprue, so in general, their risk should be relatively low, and not much higher than anyone in the general population.
All in all, that's a good set of test results, and it sounds as if you're well on your way toward remission. I'm guessing that gluten and eggs will be the only things that you will have to avoid for the rest of your life, so it could be a lot worse.
Do you mind if I add your results to our collection?
Thanks for posting this information.
Tex
As far as the dairy issue is concerned, it's possible that you may just be temporarily lactose intolerant, and not casein-sensitive. Anyone with active gut inflammation is automatically going to be lactose intolerant, because the small intestine is unable to produce adequate lactase enzyme while inflammed, (thus proving that the small intestine is also inflamed when MC is active). After you reach remission, you may be able to reintroduce dairy products back into your diet. I was able to do so, after my gut healed, (though I rarely touch the stuff, these days). And not being sensitive to soy will make your recovery much easier.
FWIW, they say that older folks are not supposed to take Armour, (I'm not sure why, and apparently many insurance companies won't pay for it for anyone past 65, I believe), but I switched to it, a couple of years ago, and I wouldn't switch back.
I wouldn't worry about the genes. Everyone here has either 2 celiac genes, or one celiac gene and one gluten-sensitive gene, or 2 gluten-sensitive genes. Your genes are some of the least likely to cause unusual problems, when compared with the genes of just about anyone else on the board. Most of us have genes that predispose to more issues, or more serious issues. The odds of your offspring developing MC are very, very low, unless they should start showing the symptoms of gluten-sensitivity, in which case they should cut it out of their diet, ASAP, and maybe MC would not develop. Unless they inherited a celiac gene from their father, they cannot develop true celiac sprue, so in general, their risk should be relatively low, and not much higher than anyone in the general population.
All in all, that's a good set of test results, and it sounds as if you're well on your way toward remission. I'm guessing that gluten and eggs will be the only things that you will have to avoid for the rest of your life, so it could be a lot worse.
Do you mind if I add your results to our collection?
Thanks for posting this information.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Garina,
Congratulations on getting the testing done, and on your fine thinking about the results. I hope you're encouraged by Tex's reply. I would guess that you are right for now, that dairy isn't agreeing with you - and you may be able to eat it again when fully healed.
If you have food in your purse, you're waaay ahead of the game! That took me a while
It's funny how other folks' food issues kick into gear when they see what's on our plates... and what isn't.
You could let your kids know what's going on with you and that there's a chance it might crop up for them (and what that might look like), without freaking them out. It might save them some frustration in seeking a diagnosis (as you know!) *if* it ever comes up for them, but let's hope it never does.
It's good to hear you've taken control of your health and are feeling better, and good luck finding a great endo as well.
All my best,
Sara
Congratulations on getting the testing done, and on your fine thinking about the results. I hope you're encouraged by Tex's reply. I would guess that you are right for now, that dairy isn't agreeing with you - and you may be able to eat it again when fully healed.
If you have food in your purse, you're waaay ahead of the game! That took me a while
It's funny how other folks' food issues kick into gear when they see what's on our plates... and what isn't. You could let your kids know what's going on with you and that there's a chance it might crop up for them (and what that might look like), without freaking them out. It might save them some frustration in seeking a diagnosis (as you know!) *if* it ever comes up for them, but let's hope it never does.
It's good to hear you've taken control of your health and are feeling better, and good luck finding a great endo as well.
All my best,
Sara
Thanks, Tex, I feel better after reading your post. I definitely will be off gluten and eggs. Yes, you can add my results to the collection.
Since my gluten test was 15 with the normal being less than 10, that isn't too, too sensitive, so I wonder why I was having so much awful D every day, all day. It was very controlling in that I felt I could not leave the house. Going gluten free has helped so much.
I didn't know that about lactose intolerance, and I will still try to avoid dairy, but I do miss cheese. I use Almond milk which is great tasting.
If I could find a Dr. to Rx Armour for me (is it a script or OTC) I would pay for it myself. I really feel it would be better than taking two thyroid drugs every day. And, yes, I'm over 65 ... but ... not ... too ... much ...!
Thanks for the help.
garina
Since my gluten test was 15 with the normal being less than 10, that isn't too, too sensitive, so I wonder why I was having so much awful D every day, all day. It was very controlling in that I felt I could not leave the house. Going gluten free has helped so much.
I didn't know that about lactose intolerance, and I will still try to avoid dairy, but I do miss cheese. I use Almond milk which is great tasting.
If I could find a Dr. to Rx Armour for me (is it a script or OTC) I would pay for it myself. I really feel it would be better than taking two thyroid drugs every day. And, yes, I'm over 65 ... but ... not ... too ... much ...!
Thanks for the help.
garina
Thanks, Sara, for the kind words. You and Tex are right because even though dairy isn't one of my over-the-normal results, it caused lots of problems. I'm still scared to try it again.
Tomorrow, we're going to an event where there will be food, but they usually always have some fruit or carrot sticks, celery sticks, or something like that, but I will have a sandwich tucked away as a just-in-case.
Certainly, I never want my kids to go through testing after testing without a dx. I refuse to let that happen to them if they should have similar problems. I shall be a Mother Hen!
Thanks Sara, thanks Tex.
garina
Tomorrow, we're going to an event where there will be food, but they usually always have some fruit or carrot sticks, celery sticks, or something like that, but I will have a sandwich tucked away as a just-in-case.
Certainly, I never want my kids to go through testing after testing without a dx. I refuse to let that happen to them if they should have similar problems. I shall be a Mother Hen!
Thanks Sara, thanks Tex.
garina
Garina,
For a positive test result, the actual number doesn't really mean much, as far as symptoms are concerned, (though higher numbers may indicate more years of untreated sensitivity). Someone with a test result of 11 or 12 might have worse symptoms than someone with a test result of 100. Also, GI docs who claim that a relatively low lymphocyte count on biopsy samples indicates a "light" case of LC, simply don't understand the disease. Lymphocyte count has nothing to do with the severity of symptoms.
Armour is by subscription only. The reason why it's discouraged for us older folks is because it's contraindicated for someone with hidden cardiac problems, and older people are presumably more likely to have hidden cardiac problems. It can also make the symptoms of diabetes worse. About a year and a half ago, during emergency surgery, I ran short of blood, and had a cardiac event, (evidently my heart ran short of blood), during the surgery, but my doc never said a word afterward, about discontinuing the Armour.
It's interesting how some docs never bat an eye when a patient asks to switch to Armour, while others get all bent out of shape. If I remember correctly, the manufacturer, (Forest pharmaceuticals), used to have a way to locate local doctors who would prescribe Armour, but they're in the process of updating their website, so I don't see that feature there, now.
You might ask your pharmacist for a recommendation of doctors in your area who prescribe Armour. He or she should know. Also, as a general rule, NDs are more likely to be willing to prescribe Armour than MDs.
A couple of years ago, I had a TIA-like event, (the right side of my face became numb, along with my right arm), so I took a couple of full-strength aspirin, and headed for the ER. About two days later, I passed a little blood, presumably from the two aspirin. After the TIA event, for about a year, I took a daily enteric-coated 80 mg aspirin, made by Bayer, (the enteric coating prevents the aspirin from activating until it is past the stomach). I never noticed any problems from it, but it's possible that I'm only a celiac, and I don't actually have MC. Anyway, after my second TIA-like event, (about a year after the first), I stopped taking a daily quarter-aspirin, and started taking Plavix, so I only took the quarter-aspirin for less than a year.
You're most welcome,
Tex
For a positive test result, the actual number doesn't really mean much, as far as symptoms are concerned, (though higher numbers may indicate more years of untreated sensitivity). Someone with a test result of 11 or 12 might have worse symptoms than someone with a test result of 100. Also, GI docs who claim that a relatively low lymphocyte count on biopsy samples indicates a "light" case of LC, simply don't understand the disease. Lymphocyte count has nothing to do with the severity of symptoms.
Armour is by subscription only. The reason why it's discouraged for us older folks is because it's contraindicated for someone with hidden cardiac problems, and older people are presumably more likely to have hidden cardiac problems. It can also make the symptoms of diabetes worse. About a year and a half ago, during emergency surgery, I ran short of blood, and had a cardiac event, (evidently my heart ran short of blood), during the surgery, but my doc never said a word afterward, about discontinuing the Armour.
It's interesting how some docs never bat an eye when a patient asks to switch to Armour, while others get all bent out of shape. If I remember correctly, the manufacturer, (Forest pharmaceuticals), used to have a way to locate local doctors who would prescribe Armour, but they're in the process of updating their website, so I don't see that feature there, now.
You might ask your pharmacist for a recommendation of doctors in your area who prescribe Armour. He or she should know. Also, as a general rule, NDs are more likely to be willing to prescribe Armour than MDs.
A couple of years ago, I had a TIA-like event, (the right side of my face became numb, along with my right arm), so I took a couple of full-strength aspirin, and headed for the ER. About two days later, I passed a little blood, presumably from the two aspirin. After the TIA event, for about a year, I took a daily enteric-coated 80 mg aspirin, made by Bayer, (the enteric coating prevents the aspirin from activating until it is past the stomach). I never noticed any problems from it, but it's possible that I'm only a celiac, and I don't actually have MC.
Anyway, after my second TIA-like event, (about a year after the first), I stopped taking a daily quarter-aspirin, and started taking Plavix, so I only took the quarter-aspirin for less than a year.You're most welcome,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex,
Thanks for informing me about Armour. I will ask my pharmacist for a Dr. in our area who is receptive to giving an Armour Rx. It is worth a try to see if I can switch from Synthroid and Cytomel. Good idea.
The baby ASA I take, I have to seriously think over. I see my cardiologist in two months, and I'll address it then.
I do have another question regarding Lactaid. I have taken a chewable Lactaid tablet now for over a year, three daily, one before every meal. Would that have altered my EnteroLab results for dairy?
Thanks, garina
Thanks for informing me about Armour. I will ask my pharmacist for a Dr. in our area who is receptive to giving an Armour Rx. It is worth a try to see if I can switch from Synthroid and Cytomel. Good idea.
The baby ASA I take, I have to seriously think over. I see my cardiologist in two months, and I'll address it then.
I do have another question regarding Lactaid. I have taken a chewable Lactaid tablet now for over a year, three daily, one before every meal. Would that have altered my EnteroLab results for dairy?
Thanks, garina
Garina wrote:Would that have altered my EnteroLab results for dairy?
No. The Enterolab test looks for antibodies to casein, (the primary protein in milk), and lactaid shouldn't affect that in any way. Lactaid is an enzyme product that helps to digest the lactose, (milk sugar), in dairy products, and it has no effect on casein. IOW, if you were sensitive to casein, you would be producing antibodies no matter how much lactaid you might be taking.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
