Does Anyone See An Allergist For Intolerances?

[Guest AutumnE]

Enterolab mentioned three dr's in my area that are very familiar and recognize enterolab results.

First one is a really nice allergist, I saw her dad for years for my allergy problems.

Second one is a pediatrician about a half hour away, will be 2 hours away when we move. Not accepting of our insurance so basically out of the picture.

Third one is a specialist md in intolerances and allergies, holistic approach, but not covered and very expensive which we cant afford right now.

Basically my only option is the first one. Has anyone seen an allergist for possible intolerances or do they do just allergies?

[NoGluGirl]

Enterolab mentioned three dr's in my area that are very familiar and recognize enterolab results.

First one is a really nice allergist, I saw her dad for years for my allergy problems.

Second one is a pediatrician about a half hour away, will be 2 hours away when we move. Not accepting of our insurance so basically out of the picture.

Third one is a specialist md in intolerances and allergies, holistic approach, but not covered and very expensive which we cant afford right now.

Basically my only option is the first one. Has anyone seen an allergist for possible intolerances or do they do just allergies?

Dear AutumnE,

As far as I know, most Allergists only handle allergies. They can test for food allergies, but skin tests only check for Immunoglubulin E. Just because someone does not have a skin reaction, does not mean that they are not allergic or sensitive to something. Insurance is a pain in the tuchas about this. The good doctors like holistic physicians are not always covered by them. These people are usually the ones that know about sensitivities and allergies more.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[ravenwoodglass]

Most allergists do not deal with intolerances, however there is the rare bird out there who does. I was diagnosed by an allergist through an elimination diet. It took quite a bit of looking and calling but I was fortunate and found one. He did the typical skin tests then formulated a nutrient complete starting point for the elimination diet and I called weekly with my reactions. Wheat was the second thing I tested and when I called him with the results of the wheat trial this very wonderful man said "I thought so" and referred me to a GI for confirmation of the celiac. I then continued with the elimination diet for a couple more months to check for other intolerances. I would be dead by now if not for this man and I send him a card or two a year to thank him. If your allergist will help you with an elimination diet I would go to the allergist.

[jerseyangel]

Hi,

I sought the help of an allergist when I started getting symptoms again after several months on the gluten-free diet. I did call around to the allergists in my area that were within my insurance. Some I spoke to did not deal in food allergies at all.

But, the one I did choose to see was wonderful. He tested me for a slew of foods via skin scratch. Then, he advised me to follow an elimination diet to figure out what foods I was intolerant to.

I asked him about blood testing for intolerances, but he said they tend to produce a lot of false positives because once we eat a particular food, we create antibodies to it. He said that most people end up doing an elimination diet anyway.

I find the elimination was well worth the time--as long as I avoid the foods I'm sensitive to, I feel well most of the time.

[Helena]

Allergists don't generally deal with intolerances, but it is good to get checked out to make sure that the "intolerance" isn't an allergy . . . My allergist put me on an elimination diet . . he sort of supervised it, but I didn't find him to be of much help during the diet. (He is helpful about other things.) For one thing, the diet is what clued me in to the fact that oats were causing problems for me. (I was already diagnosed with a wheat allergy.) Perhaps we could have caught the celiac disease earlier.

Anyhow, I do think you should go . . . but don't expect too too much. The most helpful resource I've found is: _Dealing with Food Allergies_ by Janice Vickerstaff Joneja, PhD, RDN. she provides a detailed guide to elimination diets (and mentioned a lot of stuff that my allergist didn't----like my allergist had me cut out corn, but didn't tell me that table salt has corn in it (in the form of dextrose). Dr. Joneja explains that you need to be on sea salt during the diet.) Also, she explains a whole range of food intolerances as well as allergies.

[kbtoyssni]

I've just been arguing with my insurance over this one. I want to get tested for casein intolerance. They won't pay for something like enterolab and say I have to go to an allergist but it's not an allergy so I can't find an allergist who will do the testing... They're getting another call from me on Monday. I might get the food allergy testing done anyway and do enterolab on my own.

[Guest AutumnE]

Thanks everyone

My daughter is getting tested on the 13th. Im hopeful we can find out what has been causing her to have infrequent rashes on her back.

[mandyann]

My MD seems to think a trip to an allergist is the next step for me. We discussed the whole allergy vs. intolerance subject but she still thinks it's a worthwhile visit. My appt's in two weeks, I'll keep you posted if it gets me anywhere.