|
Enterolab stool tests useful |
|
|
|
|
Written by Dr Rodney Ford
|
|
Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
|
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 June 2008 )
|
| Average user rating |
 (0 vote) |
|
| Views |
305  |
|
A mum asks: “A relative is a pediatrician, and he was rather skeptical about Enterolab tests. He wants to know: how are the tests done? how accurate are they? what research studies are they based on?”
Could you give me some more "doctor" insights as to why you say the testing is excellent? My kids' doctor says that blood tests are the only way she and her GI's are familiar with in order to find the antibodies. But we know that they most of the times can't be detected that early. But stool testing should work too, right?”
Enterolab (www.enterolab.com ) is a lab in Dallas Texas, USA. The Enterolab tests look for IgA based antibodies in the stool (IgA-Gliadin, IgA-casein, IgA-tTG). They can be detected and seem to be clinically relevant. The IgA antibodies get produced in the gut mucosa in response to gluten reactivity. I am about to start using this test in my practice.
From my discussions, and having seen the research results, I am convinced that they are a very useful test. To date, the research data has not been published – so these tests are still regarded as experimental.
The bigger issue is the debate between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity (the gluten syndrome). Medics remain reluctant to make a gluten-sensitive diagnosis – but eventually the weight of evidence will be so high that they will have to make a change. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.
Users' Comments (0) 
|
|
|
