Allergy Re-testing?

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Hi everyone. I had allergy tests (including food) done 2 years ago. This was before I was diagnosed with Celiac (both blood work and biopsy). I had chronic sinus infections, post nasal drip, dizziness, etc. None of the foods came back as allergies. Wouldn't wheat have come back positive? The only things positive were cedar, ragweed (well outside stuff).

The reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if it would be prudent to get tested again for food allergies. Would this be different from two years ago? Do intolerances show up on the test?

By the way, I have very little sinus trouble now. The difference is unbelievable since being gluten-free. I don't know if it is related, but I sure feel better! I still take Allegra. The only change I made was to be gluten-free.

So, please let me know about the tests.

Thanks.

[Amyleigh0007]

Celiac and food allergies are two different things. You can have Celiac and not have a wheat allergy or you can have both or you can have a wheat allergy and not Celiac. From my understanding, food intolerances do not show up in food allergy tests. Those are also two differnt things.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Thanks for the info. I will pass on the testing. Anything to save me from getting a needle in my arm!

[Amyleigh0007]

I am getting tested for food allergies on the 11th. I'm not looking forward to it but I am curious to see the results.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Amy,

How are they doing the test? Is it a blood test or skin prick? I think there are other kinds too. Just curious.

[Amyleigh0007]

I thought that the allergist would do blood tests but the paperwork I received said something about the skin test. I hope that isn't what she is planning on doing. My son's food allergy testing was done via bloodwork and that seemed very accurate.

[Bridy]

I thought that the allergist would do blood tests but the paperwork I received said something about the skin test. I hope that isn't what she is planning on doing. My son's food allergy testing was done via bloodwork and that seemed very accurate.

I would skip the skin test, it is not nearly as acurate as a blood test. You may end up being sent for blood work anyway depending on the results of the skin test.

[ravenwoodglass]

I thought that the allergist would do blood tests but the paperwork I received said something about the skin test. I hope that isn't what she is planning on doing. My son's food allergy testing was done via bloodwork and that seemed very accurate.

The skin prick testing is for histamine reactions, or true allergies, not intolerances. It will not pick up celiac reactions.

I had this done by my allergist before he put me on an elimination diet. In my case it was quite helpful because I showed up allergic to 98 out of 99 substances and it was a key to my allergist starting to think celiac. Not because celiac is an allergy but because it causes the immune system to go into hyperdrive. Some would have pronounced me to be one of those folks who are suffer from severe enviromental allergies and sent me home to a plastic covered house with a handful of scripts but my guy was a good one who realized something else was going on. I recieved my instuctions for the elimination diet at the same visit. Wheat was the second thing I added back in and my reaction finally got me diagnosed and confirmed by my clueless GI.

Within 6 months most of my allergies had been relieved on the gluten-free diet. I am still allergic to a couple of things but not enough to bother with any meds or anything.

[Amyleigh0007]

ravenwoodglass- So if you have a lot of environmental allergies are you more prone to Celiac? I know I have many, many outside allergies. I have to take Claritin D everyday or I can't make it through the day. I've been taking it so long that it doesn't seem to work anymore. I'm thinking that certain food might be causing my constant congestion and sinus pain. What did you do for the elimination diet? I have already eliminated gluten and it has helped a lot but I am still not feeling 100%. I want to go to the allergist knowing what to ask for and feeling educated about my choices. I knew very little when I went to my doctor for my Celiac test and I wish I would have known then the things I know now.