Intolerance Or Allergy?

[elye]

I was talking to a lady today, and the topic of food came up. I mentioned that I am celiac, and she then told me that she is also limited in her diet because she is allergic to wheat. She was diagnosed by a naturopath after having GI issues (cramps, bloating, D) just like us. I said that this sounded more like an autoimmune reaction than an allergic one, but she said things are much better after going wheat-free. Now, I'm confused. Allergies cause a release of histamines, not antibodies, right? So the symptoms of an allergic reaction would be different, I thought, than that of gluten intolerance. Why would a wheat allergy cause distress in the lower intestine? What exactly do histamines do, besides stuff us up, make our eyes water and itch or, worst of all, cause anaphylaxis?

[Jestgar]

AFAIK you're right. But I've heard another naturopath refer to intolerances as allergies. Maybe it's just there way of looking at them. Both mean you need to avoid the substance.

[dally099]

I can kind of understand what she is talking about as im in the same boat, my blood test for IgA was neg for celiac, but if i eat anything with wheat, oats, barley, etc i get bloating, D, tired, cranky, sore stomach, sore joints and swelling in the joints, however i also get hives head to toes, as well as swollen and blistered and hives on the palms of my hands and the bottoms of my feet and ankles (it itches like crazy). im thinking that their is another allergy im missing still so ive ordered a test kit from enterolab to see, but ive been told that you can have allergies to wheat and other grains and not have a problem with gluten, however ive been recomended to follow a celiac diet if it makes me feel better and my symptoms go away.

[elye]

I can kind of understand what she is talking about as im in the same boat, my blood test for IgA was neg for celiac, but if i eat anything with wheat, oats, barley, etc i get bloating, D, tired, cranky, sore stomach, sore joints and swelling in the joints, however i also get hives head to toes, as well as swollen and blistered and hives on the palms of my hands and the bottoms of my feet and ankles (it itches like crazy). im thinking that their is another allergy im missing still so ive ordered a test kit from enterolab to see, but ive been told that you can have allergies to wheat and other grains and not have a problem with gluten, however ive been recomended to follow a celiac diet if it makes me feel better and my symptoms go away.

Jeez, what do I know, but I would have guessed that you likely had a false negative for celiac, as we know how common that can be. Curiouser and curiouser...

I am often asked what the difference is between gluten/wheat allergy and gluten intolerance. By the sounds of things, I had the difference correct (histamines vs. antibodies) but the symptoms can be the same. Confusing...

[Lisa]

Jeez, what do I know, but I would have guessed that you likely had a false negative for celiac, as we know how common that can be. Curiouser and curiouser...

I am often asked what the difference is between gluten/wheat allergy and gluten intolerance. By the sounds of things, I had the difference correct (histamines vs. antibodies) but the symptoms can be the same. Confusing...

Emily:

This may sound very sophomoric, but I have always heard that an allergy can create the same symptoms, but not cause the villi damage. And an intolerance will kick off the autoimmune reaction that will cause the villi damage.

[super-sally888]

Hi,

Immune system very complex. The classic allergy is the IGE mediated one (itching, sneezing, hives, etc). This is the histamine one. Then there is also IGG, IGA (would have to read up to explain, maybe later) - which can result in a delayed reactions. Maybe someone more knowledgeable could give some more info.

Regardless if is allergy or intollerance still need to avoid the culprit. Allergy though can be immediately life threatening if anaphalactic type (cf. peanut allergy / beesting allergy) whereas intollerance may have slower impact.

Sally

Emily:

This may sound very sophomoric, but I have always heard that an allergy can create the same symptoms, but not cause the villi damage. And an intolerance will kick off the autoimmune reaction that will cause the villi damage.