[Rikki Jean]

I recently talked to DS1's ped about possible food allergies, hoping for a referral to an allergist (our insurance doesn't require a referral, but the allergist will not even let me make an appointment w/o a referral from the ped). He doesn't think he should go to the allergist (it sounds like he thinks they'll only look for environmental, and not dig deeper w/possible serious food allergies that are causing behavior problems).

So, he ordered blood-work. I wish that I could remember right now which test it is, specifically (this visit was a month or so ago). I know that it will check for celiac, among other things...I think I remember the words anitbodies...obviously, I'm not too enlightened when it comes to allergy testing knowledge...

Apparently, only special labs process this kind of blood-work, so I have to go to a lab that my ped's office has worked out an arrangement with, to have the blood drawn. I'll take a special box to them with all of the tubes, etc., and they'll send it to the lab. The lab is near my ped's office, which is about forty minutes away, which is why I want to get it done tomorrow, when we're out there for another appointment.

Anyway, does anyone have any input on whether or not we should do the testing? I know that some tests are more accurate than others, and someone told me that they thought this particular test had a high inaccuracy rate, but then said that they really weren't sure. We have to pay $150 for the blood-work, so I want to make sure that I'm not throwing money away on this.

 

[changingseasons]

He's right- allergists most likely will NOT dig deeper for food allergies, especially if they are "only" causing behavior problems (meaning they are probably intolerances rather than IgE allergies, so an allergist won't know anything about them.)

Is the ped by chance ordering an ELISA or ALCAT? Those are the 2 blood tests that will show food intolerances (IgG allergies, as opposed to IgE/anaphylactic allergies). If so, I would go for it. They definitely aren't 100% accurate, but will give you a good starting point. And most come with a rotation diet to help you plan your diet around whatever allergies show up.

The other thing it might be is a RAST blood test, which will only show IgE (immediate-reaction/anaphylactic) allergies. Unless your LO has immediate symptoms, such as hives, trouble breathing, other symptoms showing up within minutes of eating a food, this test will probably come back all negative... so it might not be worth paying for. Oh, and I didn't look to see if you said how old your LO is, but a RAST is very inaccurate under about 2yo.

HTH!

 

[Rikki Jean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by changingseasons He's right- allergists most likely will NOT dig deeper for food allergies, especially if they are "only" causing behavior problems (meaning they are probably intolerances rather than IgE allergies, so an allergist won't know anything about them.) Is the ped by chance ordering an ELISA or ALCAT? Those are the 2 blood tests that will show food intolerances (IgG allergies, as opposed to IgE/anaphylactic allergies). If so, I would go for it. They definitely aren't 100% accurate, but will give you a good starting point. And most come with a rotation diet to help you plan your diet around whatever allergies show up. The other thing it might be is a RAST blood test, which will only show IgE (immediate-reaction/anaphylactic) allergies. Unless your LO has immediate symptoms, such as hives, trouble breathing, other symptoms showing up within minutes of eating a food, this test will probably come back all negative... so it might not be worth paying for. Oh, and I didn't look to see if you said how old your LO is, but a RAST is very inaccurate under about 2yo. HTH!

I knew that I forgot to include something- he's three.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to call tomorrow before I go out there, to find out which test it is, so that I can hopefully make a decision before I leave. He knows that there are not any immediate symptoms (mostly behavioral), so hopefully it's not RAST.

 

[lily7]

Do you have the box? Does it say Genova? Does it have request form in? The test they ordered should be specified on request. I just had testing done thru Genova for 88 foods (IgG) and total IgE and it was $151.
It did not find my trigger though

 

[Rikki Jean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lily7 Do you have the box? Does it say Genova? Does it have request form in? The test they ordered should be specified on request. I just had testing done thru Genova for 88 foods (IgG) and total IgE and it was $151. It did not find my trigger though

No, I don't have the box. They were out of them when we were in last time, so they had to order more. I'm picking it up today.

I called this morning to find out which test it is, but his chart wasn't where it was supposed to be, and I couldn't get the nurse to look for it.

I'm going to talk to the ped more about it today, so hopefully I can make a somewhat-educated decision while I'm down there.

 

[Rikki Jean]

we did the test today. it was the genova IgG test.

i'm glad we finally have the ball rolling with this, but it was a really agonizing experience. i had no idea how traumatic a simple blood test would be for my little boy.

the kid is made of rubber, and sometimes is completely oblivious to pain, but the blood test was so hard on him that he was still sobbing 45 minutes later.

 

[momofmine]

yes, when my older child had to have blood drawn (on several different occassions) it was so traumatic! Sorry mama!

 

[Arduinna]

IME Drs want to keep you in their office and not send you to the specialist for allergies. My Dr did the same thing and just ordered the blood test. Luckily I wasn't required to get a referral so I just went to the allergist myself.