Which tests are best?

[bevfromwa]

Thanks for all the replies to my previous questions. As suggested, I have been researching the Enterolab site, but am getting confused by all the tests they offer. They say the $369 complete plus gene test is the best deal, includes dairy test free for "limited time" last updated a few years ago. Then they say if you need to limit expenses, omit the gene test, implying that if you test positive for gluten sensitivity, you can just go on the diet and don't necessarily need the gene test. But I assume they don't give the free dairy test if you omit the gene test.

Since I understand that a large number of gluten sensitive members are also soy sensitive, wonder about this.

I asked lab these questions but got a standard "canned" reply that said the complete is best deal, for more information send another email. I wondered if they even read my email, just hit their standard reply for the first step.

So I thought our members probably know a lot about this, and can help unconfuse me. Thanks, Bev

[Rosie]

Bev, it does get confusing. I re-read your previous posts, and you were having a hard time figuring out your intolerances. That is often the case if you have multiple intolerances. You also said:

I would really like to avoid drugs and try to gain remission by diet.

It can take a long time trying to figure out intolerances just by eliminating foods, and in the meantime, you are still suffering. If you want to tackle this seriously, you need to just bite the bullet and get the Enterolab testing. Then you'll know for sure whether you are sensitive to any of the most common items. This will really move you forward as quickly as possible. It's expensive, but it's also probably the best investment in your quality of life that you will ever make. Usually it has to be paid out of pocket, since most insurances don't cover it, even with a doctor's request, but it's worth a try.

As for the cheapest way to order, here is what I'd do:

1. Forget about the $369 complete, if money is an issue. You can get the gluten and milk individual tests for $99 each, for a total of $198, saving $171. The gene tests, while they might be interesting, don't really help get you better. The same with the other tests.
2. Get the Egg, Yeast and Soy Panel for $199.
3. The total would thus be $397 to test for all the foods that Enterlab currently tests for. We heard that next year Enterolab plans to add additional tests, like for corn, but they aren't currently available.

Once you do that, you will be able to confidently eliminate what you need to in order to heal. I actually did it in two stages. I first got the gluten test because I wasn't sure that I was gluten intolerant. Then when that came back positive, I added the other tests and eliminated soy and yeast when I got those results. In retrospect, I wish I had done them all at once, becuse the turnaround time is about a month, and I could have been further along in the healing process if I had eliminated all the intolerances at the same time.

Rosie

[tex]

Hi Bev,

I agree with Rosie, 100%. If you want to avoid meds, then eliminating right up front, all the questions about which of the most problematic foods might be causing your symptoms, will probably turn out to be the best money you ever spent, as far as your health is concerned. Some people are lucky, and figure out their intolerances with a minimum of misery. For some, though, it's an endless circle of trial and error, with no conclusive results, and all the while, life can be miserable, with little to no hope in sight. The tests at Enterolab eliminate any questions about whether or not those particular foods are a problem for you.

When the lab says that the $369 panel is the best buy, that may well be true, in terms of the most test results for the least amount of dollars, and it may be a good buy, for the average client. However, we are not average, by any stretch of the imagination, and just because a test may be a bargain, does not mean that we should be buying it. No matter how economical it might be, a "bargain" is a waste of money, if you derive no significant benefit from it.

IOW, I also totally agree with Rosie's suggestions of which tests to order. The tests that she recommended, will provide the most valuable information, for the least amount of money, for someone in your particular situation, IMO.

Tex

[bevfromwa]

Thank you so much for your guidance on this subject. I am all set to order the tests you suggested, Rosie, and that Tex seconded. A quick question though--I have been reading how gluten's half life is so long, so will be in system, but was wondering about the milk, egg, yeast and soy. The reason I am asking--hooray!--is that for nearly a month I have been pretty much in remission. We all know the likelihood of that being a permanent condition, but wondered if the other tests would show up if I am not having symptoms. Again, thanks for all your help. Regards and Happy New Year, Bev

[tex]

Bev,

If you are currently eating all of the foods you are testing, (gluten being an exception, of course), and you are intolerant of them, you should get a valid test result, whether you are having symptoms or not. Theoretically, those test results should be negative, (again, except for gluten, of course), if you are in remission, but that's just a guess.

Happy New Year to you, too.

Tex