Saliva Swab Test vs. Enterolab?

[humbird753]

Hi everyone,

I am wondering what the difference is between the saliva swab test and Enterolab. Is the saliva swab test done by your local PCP? Does this tell you what your food sensitivities are? Do you do both, or is one type of testing sufficient?

I look back on my notes and see that I started on the gluten-free diet on 12/5/2011. It is amazing how much of an improvement I am seeing after only 10 days! I have had D "every day" for 2 yrs and over 4 months. I have already experienced moments of going into a store, and not looking for the bathroom first before proceeding to shop. After getting home, I realize I never looked for the bathroom and never needed it.

Too many restrictions have mounted up one by one over this 2 yr and 4 month period of time until I felt imprisoned by MC. I have been able to maintain employment, but it is because I work at a small office, am very close to the people who own it, have been here over 20 years, AND THE BATHROOM IS ONLY 10 FEET FROM MY DESK. I tried to continue my "normal" life in all areas, but to be honest it hasn't been normal at all. Trying to live the way I did before my onset of D was something I was determined to do, but looking back now I can see I was unable to. But... that is probably the case with any disease.

I feel like crying - a combination of sad for all that has been lost since this started, and a peace of how I have been feeling lately - bittersweet.

Thank you all for being here. I am so thankful I found this site - and all of you.





Paula

[Gloria]

Paula,

It is a great feeling to go shopping without worrying about finding the nearest bathroom. It sounds like you've been making great progress in such a short time. Thank you for the uplifting report!

Gloria

[tex]

Hi Paula,

The check swab test is a gene test. Enterolab offers it along with their food-sensitivity tests, but all it tests for is genes related to gluten-sensitivity. Having a gene does not guarantee that a condition or a disease will develop - it only shows susceptibility. The gene test that they use is the one developed by the Red Cross.

Tex

[sarkin]

Paula,

GOOD FOR YOU. To some extent, you have also had 'luck' on your side, to respond so positively in 10 days... HOWEVER - you made the choice, you did the work (including taking good notes, which is a weak spot for me), and you absolutely deserve every bit of luck, after 2+ years.

Congratulations, and may your healing accelerate and continue,

Sara

[humbird753]

Hi again,

I seem to be learning so much, and am not retaining all of it.

Can someone please tell me which tests would be most important to start out with?

I talked with my ND and showed an interest in taking tests to find out what types of foods I am intolerant to. She replied by telling me that the chiropractor whose office is along side of hers just got back from a seminar which was about tests - one she mentioned was the swab test. But then Tex says it is only for gene testing. She said she would get back to me regarding what types of tests she would have to offer and how much they would cost. I do not want to waste money or time on meaningless tests if I can help it. So... just wondering from your experiences which would be the best.

Thank you.

Paula

[tex]

If you're talking about swab tests offered by a chiropractor, or an ND, there's no telling what type of test they might be talking about. Swab tests can be used for detecting all sorts of things, ranging from DNA, (which is what I was referring to), to microorganisms, to controlled substances,(as in marijuana, LSD, etc.).

The swab test offered by Enterolab is a DNA test, and the food sensitivity tests offered by Entoerolab are stool tests. If your ND is talking about ordering tests from any lab other than Enterolab, it's unlikely that those results will be of much benefit, because most blood tests are worthless for detecting the type of food-sensitivities that we have.

For tests done at Enterolab, the most likely food-sensitivities are gluten, casein, soy, egg, and yeast, in that order.

Tex

[humbird753]

Tex, thank you for this information. I have not heard back from my ND yet, but it will be interesting to hear what she is thinking of offering. I trust your judgment and others here at this point in time.

I guess you could say I'm skeptical about much of the treatment plan she has had me on. I discontinued taking most of what she has recommended. I can't believe she had me taking about 25 (possibly more) pills/capsules plus 5 powder drinks per day. Then when she told me to go gluten-free on top of all of that, I privately exploded at home while looking at a printout of what she expected me to do. No time for anything else in my life. And...it wasn't helping me at all!

I have been on a gluten-free diet (to the best of my knowledge) since 12/5/11 and have seen improvement. After what I ate tonight, though, I have gone 3 times so far. I think all was gluten-free. Smoked pork chop, boiled red potatoes, veggie mix of broccoli and carrots, sweet pickles, herring, gluten-free oatmeal and raisin cookies I baked, and drank only water. The brain tires at times trying to figure it all out. Maybe it's too soon for me to wonder beyond the gluten intolerance thing right now???

Again, thank you. Hope you are doing well.

Paula