ALCAT more accurate than ELISA for delayed-reaction allergy or intolerance?

[Ophelia]

NOTHING showed on the ELISA test for wheat or gluten, but DS still obviously has a problem with wheat and oats (although I don't know if they are problems seperately or if it's just gluten in general). Oats were 'very low' on the test.

I think he has a delayed reaction with them, because he will get 1. red ring rash 2. tummy hurt/throw up but not immediately, hours later 3. eczema as a very delayed response after a longer period of ingestion.

Soooo, if I had the ALCAT done, would it be more accurate than ELISA and possibly show something, or not? Would I have to find a practitioner in my area that will take the blood test and have it sent to the ALCAT lab?

How is ALCAT different from ELISA as far as what it tests? If ELISA tests IgG, what does ALCAT test for? I am looking at the ALCAT website but still not sure and want to know your experience. Thanks!

I just read this: https://www.alcat.com/index.php?404;...nical_info.php

but would still like your opinion and experience with ALCAT.

[kjbrown92]

We did not do both tests, so I can't say what the accuracy is. ALCAT tests for an inflammatory response to food. My DS had 2 false negatives, and DD2 had 1 false negative. It did need a blood draw. It did not need a doctor. They told us the lab to go to (my doctor did the draw for DS but they couldn't get blood out of DD2, so I called ALCAT and they told me to go to a lab that had pediatric phleb specialist). MY ped. did write a prescription to hopefully get the test covered by insurance, but my insurance still didn't cover any of it. ALCAT was good about knowing which insurances covered and didn't though.

But if you know he has a response to these foods, why do you need the test? Just for verification?

[Ophelia]

I do not need verification personally, but I thought maybe, just maybe, if the ALCAT DID show issues with wheat/oats/gluten then maybe finally DH would actually believe me
I know he does not want to pay for any more tests though, he already balked at the ELISA tests because it looks like insurance is not covering all of it.

but if the ALCAT didn't show anything either, or false negative, it's not going to help.