I posted a while back that I had read the book Hidden Food Allergies by Dr. James Braly. I went to my allergist and requested the IgG tests. (He was just a regular allergist and said some allergists do not believe in this method, but that he was somewhere in the middle). The tests were rather expensive, so I chose just to do a panel of 20 foods. I came back allergic to 12. I wasn't sure about the accuracy, because I hadn't done split-sampling. So I decided to try the ALCAT tests online (on the advice of another RA patient), to see how they compared. ALCAT is a different method of delayed-allergy testing (they do not use IgG). ALCAT sent me to a local lab and FedExed my blood to their lab. They tested me for 110+ foods and some food additives/chemicals. I think there must be some truth to both of these methods, because the results came back very similar even though the second panel was MUCH larger.
Both tests said I was allergic to barley, brazil nuts, egg whites, egg yolks, kiwi, brewer's yeast, chili peppers & lentil beans. Now the strange part is I don't even know what a Brazil nut is (?), so I doubt if I eat it (however I did read it is a high fat nut that is added into baked goods for flavor sometimes, so maybe I am eating hidden Brazil nuts?). So, according to ALCAT, I should avoid the foods that I have a severe intolerance to for 6 months. I should avoid moderate intolerances for 3 months. And mild intolerances should be avoided if possible.
ALCAT also said I have a mild reaction to Candida Albicans (I have struggled with yeast all of my life), so I should avoid baker's yeast, cane sugar, and mushrooms. ALCAT also said I have a severe reaction to casein-- so there goes all whey and dairy products. ALCAT said I have a moderate reaction to red#40 allura red and a mild reaction to potassium nitrite.
I am a little disappointed that I didn't get a bigger IgG sampling, so I think I will order the YORK lab IgG testing, as well. I realize I am going a little over board with all of this testing, but this is my health, so I figure it is a good investment to research all avenues!
Take care, Karin
Karin- I am allergic to a lot of stuff, meds and food, since eliminating the ones I know about my general health has improved.I still get it wrong and eat something i know i shouldnt and boy do I know it. If these tests are going to improve your health and lifestyle then its worth the moneyKarin keep your allergist aware of the tests you are doing. Are you considering shots?? I am soooo very thankful for allergy shots, and are you going to do environmental allergies too??
Hi, Shelly and Lisa. I probably should tell my allergist about all of the other testing I am doing. He didn't seem too familiar with the different labs when I asked him last. I will definitely be telling my rheumatologist about them, too!
As for environmental-- I have a ton of those that I never knew about until I was tested recently (I don't get hay fever, congestion, etc). But obviously my allergies manifest themselves in different ways. One thing that I was severely allergic to is dust mites (ick-- makes me squeemish just thinking about it, think I'll go wash my sheets now).
The reason I am so interested in food allergies is because it is a little easier to eliminate foods. I can't go eliminating all of the grasses in the world! LOL. And also because some research suggests that food allergies can cause leaky gut, which can aggravate chronic illnesses. Also, anything to help calm down my immune system-- because allergies are the immune system rejecting a food/object. Very similar to an "autoimmune" response, eh? I also think I am "allergic" to mycobacteria, causing an "auoimmune" response.
Lisa: How did you find out what foods you are allergic to? Traditional IgE testing? Or IgG (delayed-onset) testing? Thanks.
Take care, Karin
Karin - I think it's awesome that you're taking such a proactive approach to allergy testing. It's something I've been considering for a while myself, as I strongly believe that a lot of our health problems (both mentally and physically) stem from our bodies inability to filter out the multitude of allergens we are either intentionally or inadvertently exposed to. I think I'll check out the ALCAT tests.Hi, did it include the night shade family, "tomatoes, potatos, bell peppers, egg plant'? Thanks, LyndaGood queston, Lynda! Tomato, sweet potato and eggplant are fine for me-- no allergic reaction. White potato was moderate and chili pepper (is chili pepper nightshade?) and green pepper were a mild intolerance on the ALCAT test.
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