Dr. Kenneth Fine at Enterolab has developed a stool test to measure gluten sensitivity. This test requires collecting a stool specimen from the comfort of your own home and mailing it on to Texas. The specimen is then tested for anti-gliadin IgA and anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA. IgG is not tested, as it is not measureable in the stool.
Dr. Fine argues that the stool analysis is much more accurate than serological tests. In his own research he has found that 64% of patients with microscopic colitis have HLA-DQ2, however very few of them, only 9%, have anti-gliadin antibody in the blood. Dr. Fine argues that small bowel biopsies of these patients show that as many as 70% have mild villous blunting, yet not full villous atrophy. Furthermore, he has found that as many as 76% have anti-gliadin in their stool.
The stool test through enterolab also measures fecal fat, indicating malabsorption. The Gluten Free RN recommends Enterolab’s stool panel combined with the genetic test they offer in order to test for celiac disease/gluten intolerance.
