Posts Tagged ‘genetic testing’

Gluten Sensitivity – Who should be tested?

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Gluten freeTheir is a great degree of confusion as regarding individuals who should be screened for gluten sensitivity/intolerance?

Because research has shown that as many as 40% of all Americans may be gluten sensitive, and that 1 in 100 have a severe form of this sensitivity causing the the autoimmune intestinal disease, celiac sprue, a case can be made that everyone in America should be screened for gluten sensitivity.

However, there are people with various risk factors or diseases that are at greater risk of having gluten sensitivity who should undoubtedly be tested.

These conditions include:

• Microscopic colitis (inflammation of the colon)
• Relatives of those with celiac disease or gluten-sensitive individuals including
• Chronic diarrhea of unknown origin
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hepatitis C
• Liver disease of unknown origin
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Degenerative disc disease
• Colon Cancer
Thyroid disease
• Psoriasis
• Any autoimmune diseases (common ones include):

  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Scleroderma
  • Dermatomyositis

• Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Asthma
Migraine Headaches
• Osteoporosis
• Iron deficiency
• Failure to thrive (FTT) or short stature in children
• Down’s syndrome
• Mothers of kids with neural tube defects
Female infertility (includes those with multiple miscarriages)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Cerebellar ataxia (unexplained dizziness)
• Seizure disorders
• Psychiatric disorders (Schizophrenia and bipolar)
• Depression
• Alcoholism
• Autism
ADHD/ADD

DNA - Science

Genetic Testing for gluten intolerance is available here.

Learn more about gluten intolerance/sensitivity here.

Gluten Sensitivity Causes IBS

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

A new review in the American Journal of Gastroenterology recommends that those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) be genetically tested for gluten sensitivity intolerance.  The Review elucidates the role of diet in the progression of IBS symptoms.  The authors further state that the classic signs of celiac disease are often absent for those suffering with IBS even thought gluten is the culprit.

IBS Gluten Testing Diagram

Source: Am J Gastroenterl2009;104:1587-94.

Dr. Peter Osborne Comment

This article is a major breakthrough in the advancement for gluten sensitivity recognition.  Traditionally IBS sufferers are told to “eat right and limit their stress”.  IBS typically manifests as symptoms of gut pain, bloating, gas, and loose bowels.  Endoscopic and other common diagnostic tests are most often negative leaving people without answers.  Medical treatment of IBS is largely unsuccessful.

Food intolerance and allergy and infections are the most common contributing factors in the development of irritable bowel symptoms.  It is important to have a physician evaluate these areas.  If you haven’t watched my video on gluten sensitivity, I highly recommend you do so now as gluten is a major cause of IBS.

If you would like to be genetically tested for gluten sensitivity and your doctor won’t help you visit this link and you can get a home test kit sent to you.

Related Articles:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome