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Just Got Positive Wheat Allergy Test!

GlutenFreeManna

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GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

It's a small victory but I am really, really happy to at least have gotten a positive wheat allergy test. Finally, I have medical docuamentation to validate the last 15 months I have eaten gluten free and explain why I feel so much better gluten free. The dr did say that the result was a "low positive". He was sort of skeptical that I could have the range of symptoms I had prior to going gluten free with just a "mild" wheat allergy. Well I don't care if he calls it mild. It at least proves I was on the right track by eliminating it. I'm still going to operate as if I have Celiac disease-- since my symptoms when I get just a little wheat are severe (not throat closing severe, but extreme D, fatigue, brain fog, memory problems, hair lose, etc). But now it is certain I can't have wheat (I was already pretty sure but this will convince skeptical family at least) and I can get a dr's note if I ever need it for anything.

Unfortuantely, all my other suspected allergies came back negative. The dr did admit that false negatives were possible. He said the false negative rate for the allergy blood tests is 3%. Does anyone know if that is true for allergy tests or if it is higher like the celiac panel test? I have not gotten a copy yet so I don't know the name of the test they did but I will be getting one to check out the numbers for sure (I might just frame the positive wheat result, LOL).

Okay now here is the somewhat bizarre part: Since my other allergies came back negative the dr offered to do "further testing" if I wanted to still find out if I was allergic. What was the further testing? An eating challenge. He wants me to make an appointment to come into the lab and eat the food I suspect I'm allergic to until I have a reaction or until it's clear I don't have a serious reaction....Umm...I can do that on my own without having to pay anyone. I have an epipen and lots of benedryl. He did say I could also just test by eating something I think I'm allergic to at home and to be sure I had my epipen and someone to take me to the ER. I might test some of the foods I have not eaten for years (Shellfish, pork, mushrooms) but I'm not going to test milk anytime soon I don't think. My husband had ice cream last night and then kissed me. I was congested, coughing and blowing my nose for the rest of the night form the moment he kissed me (I had been breathing fine before that).

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Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

The blood tests won't be accurate if you've given up the foods, as your antibodies will subside.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted
  • Author

The blood tests won't be accurate if you've given up the foods, as your antibodies will subside.

I know that is the case for the Celiac panel test but is that true for allergy testing as well? I even asked my Allergist this question on the phone since I have not eaten shellfish for over a decade. He was pretty adamant that a food allergy would show up even if I had not eaten those foods for a very long time.

sb2178 Enthusiast
sb2178
Posted

IgE-based allergies will show up even if you haven't eaten it for a long time (or ever, if you're talking about babies/kids). IgG/IgA-based reactions will not show up if you aren't exposed.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted
  • Author

IgE-based allergies will show up even if you haven't eaten it for a long time (or ever, if you're talking about babies/kids). IgG/IgA-based reactions will not show up if you aren't exposed.

Thank you for the clarification. I am pretty sure my allergy tests were for IgE reactions.

salexander421 Enthusiast
salexander421
Posted

Sorry to sound dumb here but, they can test for IgE mediated allergies through blood test? I was thinking that IgG were the only ones that were tested through blood test. I'm new to the idea of actual food allergies and trying to figure it all out!

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted
  • Author

Sorry to sound dumb here but, they can test for IgE mediated allergies through blood test? I was thinking that IgG were the only ones that were tested through blood test. I'm new to the idea of actual food allergies and trying to figure it all out!

Yes. I did the skin prick tests too, however my dr said the blood tests are more accurate and he always does both types. All my skin tests were "negative" --no little circles popped up as big enough to be conclusive-- but they itched like crazy for days afterward. I'm sort of new to the food allergies thing too so I don't know much about the tests. I asked if there were any other allergy tests they could do (since milk makes my throat close up) and the dr only offered an eating challenge.

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