Advice needed: Food allergies testing results

[vgrandy]

For the record, we have gotten all the info we can from the pediatrician and are in a 2 month wait for the pediatric food allergy specialist.

My son is 14 years old. His pediatrician ordered allergy testing (IGE bloodwork) due to GI issues. The results came back positive for rice, soy, and most of the nut panel. His total IGE is 708. His CBC shows slightly elevated MCH, eosinophils (currently only slightly elevated but previously triple the high range), and monocytes, slightly low neutrophils.

Pediatrician says that his high total IGE could be skewing the specific tests making the artificially high. So, I have all this information and don't know what to do with it. If he doesn't really have food allergies what is causing the high IGE? If he does have all those allergies they are clearly not life threatening. The doctor did not mention anything about avoiding those foods while we wait for our specialist appointment.

Just looking for advice from those who know more about food allergies then I do about what to expect next. Interested in hearing stories of those who have been though the process and how it went for them. Would love info on online resources on multiple food allergies.

Victoria

[Erin1700]

If he shows positive for a food allergy, just because you haven't seen a reaction, doesn't mean he hasn't had a slight one. And they grow with exposure so tomorrow he might eat nuts and have a big reaction. I would avoid them.
-mom of a child with severe peanut and tree nut allergies

[HeatherC]

Did they test for gluten? A lot of people with food allergies react to gluten.

I do know of a company called Enterolabs that does stool tests for food allergies. Apparently, their testing is supposed to be more accurate than a simple blood test. I have not used them but maybe there is some info on their site that may help you. I do know, that they explain a bit about IGE and gluten as well as other food allergies.

I came across them because I have a form of colitis and found a forum board called Persky Farms which is a support forum for people with the same type of colitis. The site has some info on food allergies and the people there seem very knowledgeable and helpful.

Maybe either or both of these can help answer some of your questions a little better or help provide you with some new questions you may need to ask your doctor to get some answers.

I hope your son is feeling better soon.

[vgrandy]

I don't know if he tested for gluten. I'm not sure if we are still waiting for some test results. I will suggest it though. Thank you for the resources. I will look into them.

Victoria

[KiKi Mouse]

Are they allergies or good sensitivities?

I have both.

They'll probably suggest going on a two week elimination diet. Don't eat any of the stuff he tested positive for two weeks and then slowly add one food item at a time to see how it goes.

[vgrandy]

Originally Posted by KiKi Mouse

Are they allergies or good sensitivities?

I have both.

They'll probably suggest going on a two week elimination diet. Don't eat any of the stuff he tested positive for two weeks and then slowly add one food item at a time to see how it goes.

Right now I don't know if they are either. blood tests came back positive in big way but the test is known for false positives. What good is a blood test if you can't trust the results.

Victoria

[Lilliputian]

If it's IgE allergies, then the blood test he ran is a RAST. The bad part about food allergy testing is that there are a lot of false positives, and that's especially true when your IgE is elevated, as the doctor told you.

An allergist will be able to give you more direction. Make sure it's one who really specialized in food allergies. Many allergists deal more with environmental allergies (pollens, molds, pets, etc.) and don't know as much about food allergies. You don't want to wait a few months and then find out it was a poor choice for a doctor for your son.

Speaking of environmental allergies, did the doctor test for any of those? If he is allergic to something like molds or your dog, then that could elevate his IgE and cause lots of problems.

Since his eosinophils were elevated, you need to get an appointment with a GI as well. Eosinophils are in the esophagus, and there may be a need for more testing that an allergist can't do, like a scope with biopsies. It's important that you see the GI soon because he may want to do a scope before you start removing foods. Some tests are only accurate if the patient has been eating the troublesome foods.

You can get a lot more information from Kids with Food Allergies. I've only dealt with "regular" food allergies that cause immediate hives and that kind of reaction, so it's easy to know what the child is allergic to. There are a lot of moms there, though, who have dealt with all kinds of allergy issues, and there are some great "getting started" guides that can point you in the right direction. There's also a fantastic database of recipes so that you can make normal foods without all the regular ingredients, if you do end up eliminating foods from his diet.

[hsmamato2]

Originally Posted by Lilliputian

If it's IgE allergies, then the blood test he ran is a RAST. The bad part about food allergy testing is that there are a lot of false positives, and that's especially true when your IgE is elevated, as the doctor told you.

An allergist will be able to give you more direction. Make sure it's one who really specialized in food allergies.

there are a lot of false results in traditional allergy testing....google Dr Doris Rapp and read anything she writes,most especially the classic "Is this your child?" As a pp said, do the elimination diet yourself,at home,and chart results carefully,but before you start, read the above mentioned info. It is so important to know what is in the food you're eating,before you try this diet. It gives a much clearer picture of true allergy/sensitivity-
SO many 'positive' results are actually false..... depending on type of testing done,IGE levels etc etc

[vgrandy]

He had skin testing for environmental allergies several years ago and is allergic to a few trees and cats. The doctor suspected eosinophilic esophagitis just as a possibility which led to the allergy testing in the first place. Also ordered a barium swallow which we have put on hold while we figure out the allergies. I could see a GI specialist in our future.

His IgE levels ranged from 2.5 for rice, 5 for soy, 27 for peanuts and 58 for hazelnuts. Total IgE 708.

Thanks all for the advice and support.

Victoria

[badblackpug]

Originally Posted by vgrandy

Right now I don't know if they are either. blood tests came back positive in big way but the test is known for false positives. What good is a blood test if you can't trust the results.

Victoria

You are right, the blood tests are famous for false positives. The only way to judge is someone has an allergy is for them to have an allergic reaction.

[JulFromMD]

When I went through the "experience" of a scratch test back in the early 80s, I tested positive to just about everything. Learning from experience, I only have a few major allergies, but I'm guessing that my reaction was so severe to those particular allergens that you could have put water on my back at that point and I would have tested positive.

In the end, I learned through elimination-type diets what things were okay and what things I needed to avoid. The good news is that allergies change over time for many people. Today, out of the dozens of things I tested allergic to, I am only severely allergic (read: anaphylaxis) to penicillin and certain forms of soy and have allergies in general to molds and most legumes.

If you're having a GP do allergy testing and you're not really certain about the results, I'd suggest it is worth the time and money to go to an actual allergist. In addition to getting a more clear diagnosis, you can also find a good plan of attack to try and help clear them up. I had about 10 years of allergy shots to help deal with my pollen allergy and reduce my mold allergy (the only things that I couldn't really avoid in life). They were a huge help.

[Chelley00]

You can have food allergies that aren't life threatening but cause LOTS of other issues. I have multiple food allergies that cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc. Just because some people don't get hives or have trouble breathing doesn't mean they don't have the allergy and get uncomfortable when they eat it. As soon as I eat tomatoes, I get violently ill.

My advice would be take your information and head to an allergist, and possibly even a GI.