Enterolab Test--should I Do It?

[Ksmith]

Hey everyone! So my mother really wants me to "get tested" for celiac...I already know that i have it and have been gluten free for a couple years now. However, she must think that I am either not well enough educated on it and should talk with a specialist about my diet and she thinks that I need to "be tested." I think she's afraid that I'll end up with cancer, etc... That said, I am UNWILLING to start eating gluten again for the sake of getting tested. How do you guys think I should appease her...get the enterolab? Go talk to a specialist? What do you think? Thanks so much!

~K

[CarlaB]

I'd just tell her that the cancer risk is only raised for a celiac who is not gluten-free. Find something in writing that says it, so it's not just you, but a reputable source. If you don't need more proof, I'd just leave it at that. I don't believe Enterolab will be effective after two years of gluten-free eating.

If you're healthy, I'd leave well-enough alone!

[Guhlia]

I totally agree with Carla. The amount of damage that you would do to your intestines in the 2-6 months you would need to consume gluten to have a test show up positive just isn't worth it. If you already know you have Celiac then there's no need to further push the issue. Are you still having symptoms? If so, perhaps that's why she wants you to get tested. Us mothers are programmed to be kind of a pain when it comes to our kids' health. We always want what's best for them.

[Ksmith]

I totally agree with Carla. The amount of damage that you would do to your intestines in the 2-6 months you would need to consume gluten to have a test show up positive just isn't worth it. If you already know you have Celiac then there's no need to further push the issue. Are you still having symptoms? If so, perhaps that's why she wants you to get tested. Us mothers are programmed to be kind of a pain when it comes to our kids' health. We always want what's best for them.

Yes...I still am having some health problems, but nothing like how it was when I was eating gluten. I think I may have to quit the dairy...also I have kinda bad hypoglycemia that I'm trying to get under control. Thanks for the advice you guys!

[AndreaB]

Enterolab says their tests are good for about 1 year gluten free, so that would do you no good.

You may want to try an elimination diet or get IgG intolerance testing done just to give you something to go by. They are always accurate but would give you a starting point.

[sunshinen]

Wow, so great to see someone who wants you to be tested to know more about it rather than to be tested because they don't believe you need to be on the diet.

It is recommended that celiacs have follow up tests to make sure that you are successfully healing. In this sense it might be smart to either go to a GI specialist or Enterolab. Since Enterolab seems to be the more sensitive test and many doctors will want you to do a challenge, Enterolab may be the way to go. If talking to a specialist is important, then try to find a celiac specialist who won't insist you do the challenge and is willing to just make sure that you are healthy now.