Enterolab Reassurance please!

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:59 am

I asked my allergist about the Enterolab tests and he told me they weren't accurate. He said 60 minutes did a thing on them where the same person went in under a new name and got different results each time. He says it's a sham and to be careful of internet doctors/labs. I went to 60 minutes and tried to find the story, but found nothing. Anyone know what he's talking about? I'm assuming he's got the wrong lab, but some reassurance would be nice. I feel like I'm going to go crazy trying to figure out what's bothering me on my own. It seems like things are changing on me and I think it would be SO much easier to just get the tests done so I know where to start.....

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:21 am

Melanie,

To the best of my knowledge, no TV show has ever made any such investigation of EnteroLab. Besides, no one "goes in" for a test - all samples are submitted by package delivery. Your doctor either has a vivid imagination, or he's ignorant and confused, and full of :BSFlag:

I just finished writing a couple of posts about the EnteroLab tests. See the following thread, for example:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16050

Also, please see my posts on the subject in this thread:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12762

And this one:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12141

Tex

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:48 am

Melanie, can I make a suggestion? I wanted to know the same thing you did and sent in my samples ( did tests A and C plus yeast). I had no problems with the lab because it did pick up on the fact that I wasn't reacting to ANYTHING. I called and they told me I should get a blood test to see if I produce IgA antibodies. That is what is measured in these tests. Turns out, I don't! So, I wasted $700 and found out nothing about my food intolerances. If you can, test your blood first.

Leah

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:42 am

Thanks for those links Tex. I just need to decide what's going on with me. If I'm dealing with mast cells or sensitivities---or both! Since I am slow to react, I have a really hard time determining what it is that I am reacting to. I think the Enterolab tests probably would be greatly helpful for me.

Leah, believe it or not, my gastro doc had my blood tested for either IgA or IgG because he didn't believe my negative celiac blood test. He said that roughly 5% of the population doesn't make IgA/IgG. And I don't know which one was tested. I can't find my paperwork! Anyone know which one he would have tested? My results were positive in that I do make them--whichever one it was!

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:08 pm

Melanie wrote:He said that roughly 5% of the population doesn't make IgA/IgG.

Your doctor obviously has good intentions, and I applaud him for that, but his memory is not his strong suit, (it appears to be even worse than mine).

The number is actually considered to be in the neighborhood of 1 in 300, though some sources state 1 in 200, (but not 1 in 20). He may have tested both IgA and IgG, because the celiac blood test for antigliadin antibodies, actually measures the levels of both IgA and IgG antibodies.

You're very welcome,
Tex

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:16 pm

Hi Melanie,

I found the results to be helpful although you can head into remission without them. I started reading this forum in August 2011 and did not order my test until Feb 2012. If you don't order the tests you pretty much have to go GF, DF, SF and EF to be safe. It wasn't until after I was off of Entocort for awhile that I ordered them as I was kind of stressed about what to eat. If I had to do it again I would have ordered the Enterolab tests much earlier. Overall I found the tests helpful and worth the money but if money is an issue you can head into remission without them although I found that to be stressful. Brandy

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:45 pm

That's good news Melanie. Then I would definitely get the tests done (if you can afford it). I remember being so excited to know for sure. It takes about three weeks once your sample is in.

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:18 pm

Did any of you have any luck with your insurance covering the tests?

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:34 pm

Melanie, I have also found the Enterolab tests to be accurate and in-line with my personal experience as I adjust my diet. They said oats would be okay and so far they have. (Frankly I would not have tested oats if they hadn't listed them as ok). They said soy was a problem and that was what I was seeing on my food log and my reactions too. I had the gene panels, plus Panels A and C.

I can't answer your question however about insurance coverage (mine wouldn't) but I'm sure I've read other threads on this site where some did get insurance to cover their tests.

Carol

mzh · Post by **mzh** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:14 pm

I just got results from Enterolab; it seemed on the money to me. I was 11 in the gliadin (10 is normal in all the tests I did), 9 in casein, 7 in eggs, and 4 in soy. Ya gotta wonder why someone with such low levels has MC although I was on one 3 mg Entocort daily. I didn't do the gene testing as I have no children.

I'd sure like to know how I'm doing in the corn and rice dept, among other foods. That's for later MRT testing, I guess. I'm just delighted to be OK with eggs; I love 'em!

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:28 pm

If you had reacted to corn and rice they would have told you. Unfortunately I am, as I found out.

You seem to be one of the lucky ones! Even casein is OK! Cheesy omelet coming up!

mzh · Post by **mzh** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:28 am

Nah, they wouldn't have b/c I only ordered panel A and the yeast sensitivity tests.LOL I'll order the C panel next or maybe just do MRT testing.

I did have a cheesy omelet this morning.

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:56 am

How long were you taking the entocort when you took the test? When I spoke to the lab nurse, she said that it can get in the way of the readings being accurate because it suppresses the immune system... but Tex had said that it probably takes a while for that to happen.

mzh · Post by **mzh** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:25 am

I've been on Entocort too long - since 2007 off and on but mainly on. The longest I was off the Entocort was Feb-Mar 2010; then the old MC D raised it's head. I know that's problematic and knew it could affect the results but I was thinking there might at least be a trend. The gluten part was a low positive and that's how I thought I'd come out so I'll trust the other results. I think I have a casein sensitivity too but can tolerate small amounts of it OK. That was a nine, so....