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I hope this is the right place to post.
I am very new to this board, but found it about a month ago and just got back my Enterolabs results. I learned about Enterolab on this board.
When I read this board and convinced myself that Enterolabs was a sound option, I got tested and I couldn't believe the number of foods to which I am intolerant--everything except oat, beef, and potato. I also learned that I have two gluten-sensitive genes (my Dad had ulcerative colitis, so these genes may explain some of that). I've never had any gastrointestinal symptoms until a year ago. Since then it's been non-stop Lymphocytic colitis.
I am very hopeful that these intolerances may help me heal from the LC. I immediately eliminated all the antigenic foods (fortunately I already ate a whole-food diet, but one with lots of soy and egg), and I can see an improvement already.
I am reading avidly to learn how to eat healthfully while eliminating all these foods. I've found the very helpful lists of hidden gluten, corn, etc. There is a lot to read, but I am highly motivated. I've had it with these digestive problems, and my fingers are crossed that I can heal.
My biggest question is how to know if there are other foods, besides the ones Enterolabs tested, that are causing me problems? For instance, tuna is an antigen for me--what about salmon? Right now everything is in such an uproar that it's hard to sort things out. How do you tackle that problem? Maybe refer me to a previous thread?
Thank you again!
Thanks from the bottom of my heart - test results
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Hi,
Welcome to our internet family. Good for you. It's great to see that you are so proactive and doing what it takes to get your life back. Those who are motivated, get results much faster than those who spend a long time in denial before they proceed to the next stage. Those of us with many food-sensitivities have found that a test procedure known as mediator release testing, (MRT), is the next best step after Enterolab, for ferreting out additional food sensitivities. This is especially true for those of us who have double DQ genes. The results of the MRT test aren't as specific as the EnteroLab IgA tests, but they are much more comprehensive, and together with the LEAP program, (and the help of a dietitian who is certified to work with the program), it allows us to go through a series of food trials, (based on the test results), in order to pinpoint many other food and chemical sensitivities.
One of our Members, Mary Beth, is a licensed dietitian, (probably the only one in the world who is very familiar with MC), and she can advise you which dietitians in your area are certified to work with the program. Certified dietitians get a discount, so that if you order the test through them, you can usually cover the cost of the test, plus the cost of the dietitian's services, for approximately what the test alone would cost, if you order it direct. You can read more about that testing program here.
You are very welcome, and thank you for joining us and posting.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to our internet family. Good for you. It's great to see that you are so proactive and doing what it takes to get your life back. Those who are motivated, get results much faster than those who spend a long time in denial before they proceed to the next stage. Those of us with many food-sensitivities have found that a test procedure known as mediator release testing, (MRT), is the next best step after Enterolab, for ferreting out additional food sensitivities. This is especially true for those of us who have double DQ genes. The results of the MRT test aren't as specific as the EnteroLab IgA tests, but they are much more comprehensive, and together with the LEAP program, (and the help of a dietitian who is certified to work with the program), it allows us to go through a series of food trials, (based on the test results), in order to pinpoint many other food and chemical sensitivities.
One of our Members, Mary Beth, is a licensed dietitian, (probably the only one in the world who is very familiar with MC), and she can advise you which dietitians in your area are certified to work with the program. Certified dietitians get a discount, so that if you order the test through them, you can usually cover the cost of the test, plus the cost of the dietitian's services, for approximately what the test alone would cost, if you order it direct. You can read more about that testing program here.
You are very welcome, and thank you for joining us and posting.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.
Thanks for your answers and the nice welcome.
It's good to know there is further testing--I was daunted at the idea of so much remaining trial and error.
I've now read about the MRT program and LEAP and it seems like just what I need. I see that there is a home program for LEAP, but you are recommending that I go through a dietician, right? That sounds like a good idea. How would I go about contacting Mary Beth?
One little concern--do the MRT and the Enterolab results always agree? If not, which would I believe? I don't know if you can answer this concern, but I thought I'd check.
It's good to know there is further testing--I was daunted at the idea of so much remaining trial and error.
I've now read about the MRT program and LEAP and it seems like just what I need. I see that there is a home program for LEAP, but you are recommending that I go through a dietician, right? That sounds like a good idea. How would I go about contacting Mary Beth?
One little concern--do the MRT and the Enterolab results always agree? If not, which would I believe? I don't know if you can answer this concern, but I thought I'd check.
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Sheila
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I was interested to read your response Tex. I think I'm going to have to take that next step and do MRT and LEAP testing, too. Instead of adding back foods, I think I'm going to have to eliminate even more. Your reply was a wake up call, I was getting complacent and popping an additional entocort when things got bad instead of adjusting my diet. After finally getting comfortable with the new GF, DF, SF etc diet, it is not pleasant to find even more foods off the table.
Sheila
Sheila
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
No, the MRT often misses the main offenders, such as wheat, barley, rye, dairy, etc. That's why we start with the EnteroLab tests - they are IgA tests, so they are generally very specific, accurate, and reliable. You can trust them, except in a few cases where the results are right on the breakpoint, (10), because at that point the mathematics of statistical analysis introduces a certain percentage of false negatives and false positives. Fortunately, the percentage is low. Also, some people, (about 1 in 300), are incapable of producing normal levels of immunoglobulin A, in which case all their results will be low.tnelson wrote:One little concern--do the MRT and the Enterolab results always agree? If not, which would I believe? I don't know if you can answer this concern, but I thought I'd check.
The MRT results are based on non-specific immune system responses in the blood. They're intended to be used as general guidelines to facilitate actual testing of various food groups by eating them in an organized manner, to pinpoint problem foods.
A good dietitian, (who understands how MRT/LEAP works), can make meal planning much easier, and help to organize your program so that it goes smoothly. Hopefully Mary Beth will log on later today, and see your message, and respond with a few names of qualified dietitians in your area. She will need to know where you're located, of course, (because professionals such as dietitians are only registered to operate in their state of residence, I believe).
There's a security feature built into this board that prevents anyone not registered and logged in, from seeing the contact information of members, (to prevent spam bots from harvesting e-mail addresses, etc.), and after you write a few more posts, you will be able to see buttons along the bottom of posts written by any member, that will allow you to send them an e-mail, (email), or personal message, (pm). Just locate a post written by the member you want to contact, and click on the appropriate button in their post, and the system will open a message-composing window. Or, you can click on their profile button, and gain access to their contact information that way.
To locate a member's profile, you can either go through the memberlist, (there's a link at the top of each page), or if they've logged in within the past 24 hours, you can see their name near the bottom of the index page, (the main page), and if you click on their name, the system will show you their profile, with contact buttons, etc. If you aren't able to get in touch with her before the weekend is out, please let me know, and I'll send her a PM asking her to contact you.
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.
Sheila,
I hear you. Back when I was trying to recover, I kept experimenting, and so I kept relapsing, fairly regularly, which prevented my intestines from making any progress at healing. Finally, after I cut out all the suspicious stuff, long enough to heal, I resolved the problem. If I had known about MRT back in those days, it could have saved me a lot of time.
Good luck if you try it.
Tex
I hear you. Back when I was trying to recover, I kept experimenting, and so I kept relapsing, fairly regularly, which prevented my intestines from making any progress at healing. Finally, after I cut out all the suspicious stuff, long enough to heal, I resolved the problem. If I had known about MRT back in those days, it could have saved me a lot of time.
Good luck if you try it.
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.
Thanks for the detailed info about how the board works.
You described exactly what I was worried about--constantly adding foods, getting a reaction, and taking steps back from healing. I'm so glad that MRT is an option! I'll check with Mary Beth about dieticians. I am in Chicago.
You know, I have started reading all the labels of *everything* I eat, and the junk that is added to processed food amazes me. it's no wonder that the human body has trouble handling it all. There is nothing like MC to make items with additives less appealing. I guess that is the silver lining.
You described exactly what I was worried about--constantly adding foods, getting a reaction, and taking steps back from healing. I'm so glad that MRT is an option! I'll check with Mary Beth about dieticians. I am in Chicago.
You know, I have started reading all the labels of *everything* I eat, and the junk that is added to processed food amazes me. it's no wonder that the human body has trouble handling it all. There is nothing like MC to make items with additives less appealing. I guess that is the silver lining.