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tanyalipman	Apr-03-00, 04:23 PM (CMT)
"allergy blood test for migraines??"
I have been recommended to take an allergy blood-test to rule out up to 150 possible allergies...I think that someone recently posted about this, but does anyone know the name of this test? Must an allergist do it or just a regular GP? I know that insurance won't cover it, but it would definitely be worth it. My neurologist now wants to take me off Propranolol and start anti-seizure medicine for my headaches...I just really want to test alternate methods, as, like most of you, I am sick of feeling like a 5ft 6 pill container!
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RE: allergy blood test for migraine..., Lisa, Apr-03-00, (1) Allergy Test, M123PRice, Apr-03-00, (2) RE: allergy blood test for migraine..., mhalter, Apr-04-00, (3) Food Allergy Test, M123PRice, Apr-10-00, (4)

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Lisa	Apr-03-00, 07:13 PM (CMT)
1. "RE: allergy blood test for migraines??"
I don't know the formal name of the test. My daughter's nutritionist called it a delayed allergic reaction test. We discovered that she had major allergic reactions to almost every food, although very few to environmental allergens, which led us to discover that she has intestinal parasites. Yes, we had to pay for it ourselves, but I think it's going to turn out to be worth it. We had the blood taken at a local lab and then shipped to the lab that did the actual testing. The test was not available through our HMO--they offered the standard skin test and were dismissive of the delayed reaction test, but I think it put us on the right track. Good luck!
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M123PRice	Apr-03-00, 11:37 PM (CMT)
2. "Allergy Test"
Hi Tanya, The name of the food allergy test is called the ALCAT test. It can be administered by your family physician. I had it done about 5 years ago, and it has really helped me. I had no idea that some of the foods I was eating were reactive foods. Good luck, Pepper
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mhalter	Apr-04-00, 05:50 AM (CMT)
3. "RE: allergy blood test for migraines??"
There are a number of different type of tests to ascertain allergic sensitivity. My guess is that the blood test you are being offered is the RAST or a variation of this test. Blood testing for allergies is nonspecific with low sensitivity. The test is based on increased levels of circulating IgE molecules. These type of antibodies are associated with both allergic reactions and are nessessary to allow your body to cope with parasitic infections. IgE can only cause an allergic reaction if it is bound to specific cells in the body. "Free" IgG doesn't cause allergic reactions. A patient can have low circulating levels of IgE but a high tissue bound fraction and subsequently be highly allergic or sensitized (false negative test). Conversely there maybe high circulating levels (this gives a false positive test) but low tissue bound levels without any allergic sensitivity. Don't waste your money on this test... if you wish to pursue allergic testing then undergo traditional skin testing which is positive when there is tissue bound IgE. I have some background in this ... PhD in immunology (before medical school)and I'm finishing a final year as chief resident in neurology. Good luck.
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M123PRice	Apr-10-00, 00:41 AM (CMT)
4. "Food Allergy Test"
The test I am talking about is a Food Allergy Test, ALCAT. It lists your reactive foods. It is very accurate, and very helpful when it comes to your dietary allergies. Hope this info helps in some way. Good luck, Pepper
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