Understanding Allergy Panel Testing
Seeking Advice: Food Allergy Evaluations and Digestive Issues I am reaching out on behalf of a colleague (we are both medical professionals) who is experiencing digestive problems such as food intolerances and fatigue. My friend is a 28-year-old male, standing 5'10" and weighing 65 kilograms, of South Indian descent. He has been struggling with gastrointestinal difficulties since the start of this year. Notably, he has no ongoing health conditions and is not taking any medications apart from dietary supplements. Furthermore, there is no family history of digestive ailments. Given these complications, we are now considering the possibility of food allergies or sensitivities as underlying factors and are contemplating undergoing a comprehensive IgE and IgG test panel. I would like to gather insights on the following: - Which specific allergy tests are genuinely beneficial for identifying issues? - Is it advisable to combine IgE and IgG testing, or would that be excessive? - If anyone has experience with labs such as Radcliffe, DNA Labs, MyDiagnostics, Max Labs, or Vijaya Diagnostics, could you share which ones are the most dependable, particularly if you're based in India? - Have you come across any false positive results with IgG testing? - I am hoping to connect with any immunologists or individuals familiar with these matters to provide clarity on my query. Any recommendations or shared experiences would be highly valued. I appreciate any expert advice from those who have faced similar situations.
Answers (1)
7/26/2025, 8:10:38 AM
OpenHealth AI
Main Points Summary
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause digestive issues and fatigue. Evaluating which allergy tests to pursue is essential, and understanding how to interpret these tests can help guide your colleague's next steps.
Explanation
Your colleague is experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms which may indeed stem from food allergies or intolerances. While IgE tests are often used to identify immediate allergic reactions (like hives or anaphylaxis), IgG tests are intended to identify delayed reactions and sensitivities. However, the utility of IgG testing is debated among medical professionals since it may not definitively indicate an allergy and can lead to false positives.
-
Recommended Tests:
- IgE Testing: This is essential for identifying immediate-type allergies. Focus on common allergens in his diet (e.g., nuts, dairy, gluten).
- Skin Prick Testing: This can complement IgE testing and is done for specific allergens.
- IgG Testing: This is optional and should be interpreted cautiously—consider using it mainly if there is a strong suspicion of delayed reaction.
-
Combining Tests: Combining IgE and IgG testing isn’t generally regarded as excessive but ensure that results are interpreted in the context of clinical symptoms. Focus on discussing with a specialist about why each test is needed.
-
Laboratory Recommendations: Research the laboratories you've mentioned and look for reviews or accreditations. Local references can greatly help in choosing a dependable lab.
-
False Positives with IgG Testing: The possibility of false positives is documented with IgG tests. This may not correlate directly with clinical symptoms or cause significant issues. Encouraging interpretation by a healthcare provider familiar with allergy testing is essential to avoid mismanagement.
Next Steps
- Consider starting with IgE testing based on dietary history and discuss results with a qualified allergist or immunologist.
- Maintain a detailed food and symptom diary to help correlate symptoms with specific foods prior to testing.
- If testing is pursued, ensure clear communication with the interpreting physician regarding the significance of results and potential next actions.
- Engage with reliable local professionals or forums to gather personal experiences related to laboratory services in India.
If further information about interpreting results or dietary management is needed, please let me know.
Related Questions
Concerns About Potential Blood Cancer
I’m a 21-year-old female and have been battling what seems to be a viral infection since Monday, characterized by a scratchy and sore throat. Throughout this week, I experienced episodes of night sweats on two occasions. While these episodes weren’t so severe that I had to change my clothing, I did wake up with a clammy neck and collarbone area, along with slight dampness on my chest. It’s unusual for me to sweat during a viral illness, but I considered this a reaction to the infection. To make matters worse, I’ve noticed a significant bruise on my leg. Typically, I occasionally have minor bruises with no past concerns, as my blood tests have always shown normal results. However, this particular bruise is considerably larger than any I’ve encountered before. Naturally, anxiety began to set in, making me question whether the sweating episodes were indeed linked to the virus or if they signified the onset of leukemia. Approximately three weeks back, I underwent blood tests for various other concerns, and everything came back normal—my lymphocyte count was borderline, resting right at the upper threshold, not elevated in any alarming way. Nonetheless, I’ve read about how rapidly conditions like leukemia can advance. While I don’t feel particularly fatigued or unwell, the internet can be a source of anxiety; I stumbled upon discussions of individuals who noticed just a couple of small bruises alongside a lack of additional symptoms, only to find out later they had leukemia after getting checked. My hope is that this is merely a viral infection and the bruise is incidental. However, I can’t shake the fear that something more serious might be happening. Unfortunately, I’m unable to see my doctor next week as they’re on holiday, and I’m reluctant to seek advice fearing I might come off as overly anxious or worrying too much.
A Mistake I Made Regarding Serotonin Syndrome (19F)
I recently discontinued my 10mg dose of fluoxetine about two weeks ago. Not realizing the prolonged duration of the medication's effects in the system, I took 500mg of bromelain last night. Shortly after, I began experiencing some concerning symptoms, including an elevated temperature and an increased heart rate—peaking at 70 bpm, which is much higher than my normal rate of 40 bpm. These symptoms have somewhat intensified. Should I consider going to the emergency room for what seems to be a mild case of serotonin syndrome? Is there a possibility that my condition might deteriorate further?
Concerns About Potential Rabies Exposure After Shared Water
Demographics: 19 year old female, measures 5 feet tall, weight around 88 pounds, from the Philippines. Main Concern: Anxiety over possible rabies exposure Duration of Worry: Today Location: Philippines Hello, I’m feeling very anxious and distressed at the moment. Earlier on, I consumed water from a glass that could have been previously used by my dog. I was under the influence of alcohol at the time, and now I’m not entirely certain about the situation. Importantly, there was no biting or scratching involved, but I am worried about the possibility of indirect contact with dog saliva. The thought frightens me, as I’ve encountered cases where rabies has resulted in death, and I’m suddenly filled with fear about my own health. My dog is healthy and behaving normally; it has received vaccinations, but I’m unsure if they are up-to-date. There have been no injuries or blood exposure. It is primarily an indoor pet. I don’t have any underlying health issues, take no medications, and I do not smoke or engage in drug use. I drink occasionally, as mentioned earlier, and I happened to be intoxicated during the incident. I’m aware that rabies is invariably fatal once symptoms present themselves, and this knowledge is causing me considerable stress. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to visit a healthcare facility until Monday since today is Saturday. I’m seeking guidance on a few points: Is it necessary to obtain the rabies vaccine in the absence of any bites or scratches? Can rabies be transmitted through shared drinking water or saliva? Furthermore, how long can I safely delay seeking treatment? Any assistance would be greatly welcomed as my anxiety levels are extremely high.
Tightness in the Scalp
Recently, I've observed that hairstyles involving tight pulls, as well as the use of headbands or hats, tend to escalate my migraines significantly. However, over the past year, I've experienced a persistent sensation of tightness and discomfort on my scalp, reminiscent of the pain felt after releasing a ponytail worn for several hours. I decided to cut my hair short and avoid styling it up to mitigate my migraine episodes, yet my scalp remains consistently tender. While the discomfort isn’t severe enough to warrant a doctor's visit, I do notice it particularly when lying down or when I scratch my scalp. I am simply intrigued by the cause behind this ongoing issue. At 20 years old, I am currently on Vyvanse and Lexapro to manage my ADHD and anxiety, as well as Qulipta for migraines. My height is approximately 5 feet 5 inches, and I weigh around 175 pounds. I refrain from putting my hair up altogether. Although I have dealt with dry scalp and dandruff issues in the past, I have successfully used products that eliminated these problems a few years back. Attempting to massage the area in hopes of relief has proven ineffective. Could the discomfort be linked to work-related stress?
Unexplained Bruising After Walking
Age 29, female, weighing 150 pounds, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, non-smoker, drinks socially perhaps twice a year, currently taking only d-mannose and cranberry supplements, along with occasional digestive enzymes with meals. Recently, I have been noticing unexpected bruises on my legs. The largest one measured about 3.5 inches, while the others have been smaller, appearing in shades ranging from blue to purple or green, often in solid colors. I typically have no more than four visible bruises at one time. During the two weeks I was stuck at home and unable to walk due to having company, these bruises healed up completely. However, just last week, after going for three walks, bruising has returned. There is absolutely no chance these marks are from any sort of injury. I don’t keep my phone on me while walking, nor can I track my steps precisely, but my usual route covers at least a mile. It seems odd that while I was sedentary all day long, I had no bruises, but now that I've started walking again, I’m experiencing them once more. I’m curious if this is a known issue and whether it’s something I should investigate further. I've reached out on this platform previously, and I don’t have a primary care physician, which makes me reluctant to pay for an appointment just to discuss this bruising. Therefore, I’m seeking insights from here to determine if this might point to a specific condition or if I’m just uniquely prone to this issue. My mother also has a significant bruise on her foot from merely bursting a blood vessel during a foot massage, so maybe it’s a genetic predisposition where our blood vessels are unusually delicate. Who can say? Thank you for your input!