Heavy Metal Toxicity Testing, Food Intolerance/allergy Symptoms

[pellegrino]

I just came across the thread below "omg...I might be on to something." From what I can gather from skimming through the 1,500+ posts, the woman who originated the thread by suggesting she might have a corn allergy was ultimately diagnosed with heavy metal toxicity, among other things.

I'm wondering if this is something I should be tested for. If so, what's the best method of testing? I've heard about a hair test. But is this as accurate as a blood test? Is this sort of testing typically covered by insurance? I have no cavities, so clearly I wouldn't be getting mercury that way.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost two months ago. I've been gluten and dairy free since, but still don't feel 100%. The bloating, gas and diarrhea has disappeared for the most part. But I still have this achy pain on my left side, to the left and about an inch or so below my belly button. My knees heart and I'm breaking out like crazy, but my naturopath says that's the result of the detox. I'm going to see a celiac disease specialist at the University of Chicago in August and am hoping maybe she will be able to provide some insight. My naturopath thinks the pain is celiac related, and suggested the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. I've already begun cutting out grains and am willing to try the diet. She thinks the pain will improve on the diet, but I want to be sure it's not something else.

My naturopath had me taking quite a few supplements, but I stopped them a couple weeks ago when I had to go on antibiotics for a bladder infection. About a week ago I started getting itchy after I cheated on my diet and had a Reese's peanut butter cup and a few pieces of Namaste Chocolate Cake. The itching is kind of all over my body, but especially on my neck, shoulders, sides, lower back, under my pubic hair, scalp, behind my knees, and where my pants touch my hips. I don't have any kind of visible rash, I'm just itchy. And when I itch, a welt often appears where I've itched.

I can't figure out what the heck could be causing it. I've had this type of reaction before to antibiotics, but I'm not taking anything right now. I had food sensitivity testing done and for the most part am avoiding the foods I reacted to. But if this itching was food related it'd be a case of a true food allergy, not sensitivity. I thought maybe it could be related to almonds, because I had some almond butter, and sliced almonds the day it began. But I haven't had any in a week and I'm still itchy.

I did switch to some Aubrey Organics products over a month ago (deodorant, unscented body lotion, shampoo, face wash, toner and moisturizer), but it doesn't seem like these are the cause because I've used them for a month without a problem. I know sometimes people can be allergic to the more natural ingredients in these products, so I'm wondering if that's what's going on. Has anyone had reactions to the stuff in organic products, the oils and such? If so, which ones cause you problems? Maybe I need to see a dermatologist and have patch testing done? Or have true food allergy antibody testing done?

I thought maybe my skin was just dry. This morning I put olive oil all over my body in the shower, instead of using the Aubrey lotion, but I'm still itchy. I know olive oil allergies are rare, but is anyone allergic to olive oil? I have been using it in everything I cook lately. I've used the Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil soap for at least six months without a problem though.

I did have environmental scratch allergy testing done about 5 years ago, when I was in college, and I was allergic to lots of weeds and to olive trees. But I wouldn't think the oil is related at all to the pollen. I started taking the Nordic Naturals fish oil again last night, and the vitamin D supplement I'm supposed to be taking. But I haven't taken those in two weeks, and I'm not any itchier today than I have been in the past week, so I don't think they're the cause. It would be kind of hard to cut out olive oil though, to see what happens, because I can't use butter as a substitute in cooking. Or coconut, canola or safflower oil since they came up on my food sensitivity test.

I'm wondering if I might have candida. I did the saliva test I read about online a couple weeks ago and lots of it fell to the bottom of the glass. Of course that's not scientific, but I've been avoiding sugar and everything else they say to avoid with candida. But maybe I should be tested for that at my next appointment too? Is diet change the only cure for candida, or is there medicine and supplements involved?

I just want to figure out what the hell is going on. And what sort of tests I should think about requesting at my next appointments (metal toxicity, candida, bone density, etc?) I was lucky, and only felt crappy for three or four months before I was diagnosed with celiac, but I still don't feel so great, and I just want to feel normal again!

Well, this post has become waaay too long, and full of many, many questions. But I'd love any advice/info. Thanks in advance!

[jerseyangel]

Hi,

I noticed you said you were on antibiotics a couple of weeks ago, and your itching began a week or so ago? I know that an allergic reaction to a drug can sometimes be delayed. Since your allergic reactions in the past have been like this one, I wonder if you might be having a delayed reaction.

I had an allergic reaction to a drug recently, and the reaction didn't become obvious until I had been taking the pill for 7 days. My doctor told me that the reaction can last as long as you took the offending medicine, once you're off of it. It took about another week and a half or so for the itching to subside.

[Rachel--24]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost two months ago. I've been gluten and dairy free since, but still don't feel 100%. The bloating, gas and diarrhea has disappeared for the most part. But I still have this achy pain on my left side, to the left and about an inch or so below my belly button. My knees heart and I'm breaking out like crazy, but my naturopath says that's the result of the detox.

Sorry you are still feeling bad. I think since you've only been recently diagnosed it could still be Celiac related. It might take awhile to feel 100%. It was helpful for me to keep a journal to try to pinpoint what things might be triggering reactions.

My naturopath had me taking quite a few supplements, but I stopped them a couple weeks ago when I had to go on antibiotics for a bladder infection. About a week ago I started getting itchy after I cheated on my diet and had a Reese's peanut butter cup and a few pieces of Namaste Chocolate Cake. The itching is kind of all over my body, but especially on my neck, shoulders, sides, lower back, under my pubic hair, scalp, behind my knees, and where my pants touch my hips. I don't have any kind of visible rash, I'm just itchy. And when I itch, a welt often appears where I've itched.

Since you've had similar reactions to antibiotics before...I would suspect the antibiotic.....possibly a delayed reaction as Patti suggested.

I did switch to some Aubrey Organics products over a month ago (deodorant, unscented body lotion, shampoo, face wash, toner and moisturizer), but it doesn't seem like these are the cause because I've used them for a month without a problem. I know sometimes people can be allergic to the more natural ingredients in these products, so I'm wondering if that's what's going on. Has anyone had reactions to the stuff in organic products, the oils and such? If so, which ones cause you problems? Maybe I need to see a dermatologist and have patch testing done? Or have true food allergy antibody testing done?

I used Aubrey Organics products and during that time I felt like I was getting worse. I dont get rashes or anything so it may not have even been related to these products but it did cause me to carefully check the ingredients.

The stuff I was using had "wheat germ oil" ....I dont know if any of the products you're using have ingredients containing wheat but I would check that...I'm pretty sure the shampoo, conditioner and lotion all had ingredients from wheat.

I'm wondering if I might have candida. I did the saliva test I read about online a couple weeks ago and lots of it fell to the bottom of the glass. Of course that's not scientific, but I've been avoiding sugar and everything else they say to avoid with candida. But maybe I should be tested for that at my next appointment too? Is diet change the only cure for candida, or is there medicine and supplements involved?

The "spit test" isnt at all scientific.....but since you have alot of sensitivities and have been on antibiotics you may have some issues with candida. The only cure for persistant candida is identifying the underlying cause which is allowing the overgrowth to begin with. In your case it could have been caused by Celiac and/or antibiotics. I know that sometimes when people start a candida diet and their bodies are detoxing.....if they then start eating the sugars again their body may react with a rash or other symptoms.

If you do determine that you have a problem with candida and it doesnt seem to clear up even with diet changes and antifungal treatment (both are usually necessary) then thats when I would suspect something else going on. There are tests that can check for candida problems (more scientific than the spit test ). Stool tests arent very reliable in my opinion.

I had 3 stool tests and the results werent consistent. The stool test also failed to identify what turned out to be a really BIG problem with candida. Blood antibody tests are more reliable.

I've had alot of alternative type testing (muscle testing, energetic testing) done to identify the major sources of stress on my body....then my Dr.'s order the labs to "back-up" the diagnosis and to see the severity of the problem.

The yeast/fungal issue showed up in every test as being a huge problem. They ordered an "Intestinal Barrier Function" test from Immunosciences Lab. Its a bloodtest to detect antibodies for the things which contribute to damaging the intestinal barrier (leaky gut).

It checks for dietary protein antibodies, yeast antibodies and antibodies for two types of bacteria (testing is for IgM and IgG antibodies).

My results were out of range for dietary protein and one type of bacteria. These were about twice the normal range. What was really alarming was the yeast antibodies.

Normal range (0-2248) My results (8196)

So for me this test has proven useful...where stool tests were inadequate..these were my results from 6 months ago and I'm repeating the test next week to see if theres any improvement.

I see more than one person for my health issues and insurance doesnt always cover the test...depending on who orders it and what their title is. For this reason if there is any question I have my M.D. order the test and insurance covers their portion.

Since you've only been diagnosed a short time I would allow more time for healing but if you really strongly suspect something else is going on I think this is a good test to look at possible gut infections. The lab is reputable....all my Dr.'s have used that lab for various testing.

I'm wondering if this is something I should be tested for. If so, what's the best method of testing? I've heard about a hair test. But is this as accurate as a blood test? Is this sort of testing typically covered by insurance? I have no cavities, so clearly I wouldn't be getting mercury that way.

The biggest sources of mercury are amalgam fillings and fish. After that theres mercury in a long list of various household items, cosmetics, etc. Its in the air we breathe so everyone gets some amount of exposure. You get alot less if you dont have amalgams and you dont eat alot of fish. Another factor in how much exposure you've had comes from how many amalgams your mother may have had. Mercury levels in children correlate with the amount of fillings in the mother's mouth.....its also excreted in breast milk.

There is no bloodtest to accurately determine mercury toxicity....except for in cases of acute poisoning. Hair analysis can be useful but only if the person is detoxing will it show up in hair (i.e. my results showed very low mercury even though I was highly toxic).

A provoked urine test is the most accurate test available. You take a small dose of a chelator....which binds with metals stored in your body....and then after a 6 hour urine collection the urine is tested for different toxic elements....including mercury.

I wouldnt worry about that at this point....if sometime in the future you find yourself struggling with candida, many food and environmental sensitivities, etc....then I would look into getting tested for heavy metals....as this would be the most common cause.

Hope this helps and hope you feel better soon.

P.S. I would start by checking the ingred. of the Aubrey Organics products.

[CarlaB]

As Rachel said, a provoked urine test is the way to test for heavy metals. I tested positive for lead , so you can have heavy metal problems and not have fillings, though it seems more likely for those with fillings to have the problem ... unless your mother has a lot of them.

I agree with Rachel that you need more time on the diet. It takes a while to heal.

I also think it's a good idea to keep a food diary.

There is a chance that you have candida. I'd be strict with no sugar ... even to the point of eating few, if any, simple carbs, and avoiding sugary fruit (grapes, bananas, dried fruit, etc.). Eating mostly meat and veggies will also help you to heal from the celiac.

I would also take a good probiotic to rebuild the good bacteria in your intestines.

I also think that if you tested positive for allergies to olive trees that you should cut out all olive oil for a while and see if that helps. Then test it later to see if you can tolerate it or not.

Give it more time. If you still don't start feeling better, then start looking into what else may be going on.

[Sugarmag]

Sorry that you aren't feeling well and so itchy!

I can tell you that I've had reactions to antibiotics as well, and it always seems to be two weeks after I start taking them that a rash and/or hives develop. So, that could be a possibility.

I know it did take me a good 4-6 months before my stomach was feeling better after being gluten free. The majority of the symptoms went away within the first two weeks, and then 4-6 months later, I felt immensely better.

As for the skin breaking out, it could be so many things. Could be the "detox" and getting it out of your system, could be from stress of dealing with going gluten free, or it could be a whole new allergy. I guess a food diary and writing how you feel after eating might be a good place to start. I did that, and ended up figuring out that soy is giving me a really bad rash every time I have it. I wasn't linking it together for a while, just because the rash comes out a couple days after having soy products. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!!