Is there a test for gluten issues? - Page 2

[neveryoumindthere]

Originally Posted by ChristieB

As far as I know, Enterolab is the only place doing this type of testing. You could ask them about Canada, though (I've been seeing this question a lot lately).

As for the one test, what is your reason for doing the test? IMO, the best (and cheapest) test is going GF. As far as Enterolab's tests, in order to be relatively sure that celiac is the problem (and not "just" gluten sensitivity) there are three tests that are needed together, and possibly a fourth. SORRY! The gluten sensitivity test, the tissue transglutaminase test, and the gene test. And possibly the malabsorption test (although, in my mind, it's not as important for "diagnosis"). The gluten sensitivity test will tell you if you're reacting to gluten, the tissue transglutaminase test will tell you if your reaction is autoimmune in nature, the gene test will tell you if you have a gene for celiac, or if you have a gene for gluten sensitivity, and the malabsorption test will tell you if there is enough damage to your intestines that you aren't absorbing nutrients well (actually, it's specific to fats, but if you have trouble with fats, you probably have trouble with other nutrients, too). So, it really depends on what you're hoping to get from the testing.

Thank you for all the info. I have a couple symptoms but mostly the bloating and going back and forth btwn loose stools and constipation, also I dont know if it's a 'celiac' thing, I feel like a dead weight after eating breads/pizza ..I can't keep my eyes open!

I have to be honest, What I want from testing is 1) to be able to say confidently "I have Celiac." or "I can't eat that because of gluten sensitivity/celiac"(Though I'd say 'allergy' to family, to be honest, because they dont get that sensitivity can be damaging, just a minor bother : ) and 2) if everything shows it's ok then I'd like to not be burdened with finding all new recipes, convincing family, having the family go GF, all the extra costs for the different flours etc. I'm not trying to be insensitive to those of you on GF diets, but honestly, if it was just me I could handle it, but dd1 is extremely picky and dh is extremely skeptical and negative about everything involving something 'new'

at the very minimum all I want/need is a test showing damage is being done by gluten..I dont need to know about genes etc. right now

Thank you for all your help.

[gilamama]

B-B sorry you are going through that with your ex. sorry for your kids

I dont have the results yet for the gliadin and transglutimase tests that were done on my dd2 - those test for antibodies right?
But her the results for 3 types of imunoglobulin (m, g and a) were finished and they were low. so that would indicate that she was not having increased imune responses no?

thanks for the answers christieb!

[Ruthla]

So what kind of doctor would I ask to prescribe these tests?

I've been trying to eat GF for several weeks now, and seeing absolutely no improvement. I think I may have been completely sabatoging myself when preparing wheat for other family members. So I NEED to know- either I'll make a full-blown effort and keep wheat flour out of my home, or I'll stop worrying about consuming small amounts of wheat once in a while. I just can't put all this work into a "maybe."

[neveryoumindthere]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

So what kind of doctor would I ask to prescribe these tests?

I've been trying to eat GF for several weeks now, and seeing absolutely no improvement. I think I may have been completely sabatoging myself when preparing wheat for other family members. So I NEED to know- either I'll make a full-blown effort and keep wheat flour out of my home, or I'll stop worrying about consuming small amounts of wheat once in a while. I just can't put all this work into a "maybe."

:

[Millie Ivy]

ChristieB- Thank you so much for your thoughtful and in depth post. With my ex, there are a few factors. he is a big bully, but you know how "strong" bullies really are... But is also um... I guess narcissistic is the best word. He will go years, lose friends and family, jobs, etc rather than admit something needs to be changed on his part.

on the other hand, his ( albeit slightly insane) girlfriend is very health consious and gi jane proactive ( seriously, I can't figure out why they are still together) and I think if it was proven that the dk's needed to avoid something she would try to make it happen.

but.....(There is always a "but") I am starting to fear that the only way I will truly convince them is to have a biopsy done. Or, I don't know, maybe just a ped that agrees with me.

Sigh, thinking out loud. I ordered just the gluten sensitivity test bc honestly, as far as the stool testing is concerned, the 4 together won't convince anyone more than the one.

It's amazing though. There is such a huge difference in my son when he is off gluten. All the symptoms that led to searching into Celiacs Disease just go AWAY. And his quirky, sweet little personality just shines.

[Millie Ivy]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

So what kind of doctor would I ask to prescribe these tests?

I've been trying to eat GF for several weeks now, and seeing absolutely no improvement. I think I may have been completely sabatoging myself when preparing wheat for other family members. So I NEED to know- either I'll make a full-blown effort and keep wheat flour out of my home, or I'll stop worrying about consuming small amounts of wheat once in a while. I just can't put all this work into a "maybe."

A Gastroenterologist as far as I know. But the enterolab stool testing doesn't need a prescription.

[ChristieB]

Goodness, I don't know what happened, but I missed a bunch of posts on this thread. Sorry I didn't respond to much before now.

Originally Posted by gilamama

B-B sorry you are going through that with your ex. sorry for your kids

I dont have the results yet for the gliadin and transglutimase tests that were done on my dd2 - those test for antibodies right?
But her the results for 3 types of imunoglobulin (m, g and a) were finished and they were low. so that would indicate that she was not having increased imune responses no?

thanks for the answers christieb!

Your welcome.

The blood tests you had done may or may not indicate no immune response. Elevated IgA is associated with celiac, and sometimes IgG, also (not sure about IgM?). The thing is, the immune response to gluten takes place in the gut. For the antibodies to be in the blood, there has to be an awful lot of gut damage.

The tests also have about a 10-15% false negative rate. It can really be very frustrating! And the blood tests really only test for possible celiac, not gluten intolerance. And just to confuse things more, they're affected by how much gluten a person is eating, and how recently (having been on a GF diet for even a short while before the test could cause a false neg., and I've even heard that eating a low gluten diet can affect it).

This is why Dr. Fine developed the Enterolab tests.

And this is why trying a GF diet is the best test (as difficult as it is).

Originally Posted by Bella Babe

ChristieB- Thank you so much for your thoughtful and in depth post. With my ex, there are a few factors. he is a big bully, but you know how "strong" bullies really are... But is also um... I guess narcissistic is the best word. He will go years, lose friends and family, jobs, etc rather than admit something needs to be changed on his part.

on the other hand, his ( albeit slightly insane) girlfriend is very health consious and gi jane proactive ( seriously, I can't figure out why they are still together) and I think if it was proven that the dk's needed to avoid something she would try to make it happen.

but.....(There is always a "but") I am starting to fear that the only way I will truly convince them is to have a biopsy done. Or, I don't know, maybe just a ped that agrees with me.

Sigh, thinking out loud. I ordered just the gluten sensitivity test bc honestly, as far as the stool testing is concerned, the 4 together won't convince anyone more than the one.

It's amazing though. There is such a huge difference in my son when he is off gluten. All the symptoms that led to searching into Celiacs Disease just go AWAY. And his quirky, sweet little personality just shines.

Boy, once again, he just makes me angry (admittedly not difficult these days). Hopefully the Enterolab result will at least help to convince the girlfriend. If it helps, it's "signed" by dr. But then, you know your audience.

FWIW, there are some gastroeterologists (sp?) who do feel the Enterolab tests are worthwhile. Apparantly, there are more and more (still a minority, though, as I understand it) who actually order the tests and use the results in their diagnosis. Who knows if you could find one/afford one, though. The one I heard about (and who apparantly said this about others, too) is in the Bay Area, I think.

Is there any way (probably not, but I figured I'd throw it out there) for your ex to see the difference in your ds when he's GF? My optimistic side (it's still there, just hiding most of the time ) thinks that surely if he could see the changes, he'd be compliant. And maybe your ds could tell him how he feels different when he's GF? Don't know how old your ds is, maybe it wouldn't work. I say this because when our ds first went GF, he was his Grandpa who was a skeptic, and told him how he felt different when he was exposed to gluten, and my dad turned around. Then again, as a grandparent who lives several states away, he has no chance to try to sabotage things.

Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Hope you find a way to convince your ex.

So what kind of doctor would I ask to prescribe these tests?

The blood tests can either be ordered by a gastroenterologist or by a family physician. The only problem with a family physician ordering them is that some of them don't know what all the tests are that should be ordered. It's best to make sure they're knowledgeable.