Julia, my blog-mate, wrote last week about how allergies can mimic other disorders. She and I chatted briefly about the different types of antibodies and the type of testing LuLu had undergone to determine her food sensitivities. Julia reminded me I had never blogged about this.

Antibodies are made of proteins called immunoglobulins. There are five classes of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. Most of the antibodies in your blood system and tissues are IgG. However, when you experience a typical allergic reaction (hives, sneezing, skin rash), it is an IgE that is responsible. So, typical allergy testing, like scratch tests, focuses on IgE testing. Allergic reactions can range from annoying rashes to lethal anaphylactic shock reactions.

My sister, for example, has a deadly allergy to peanuts (one of the more common food allergens). If she ingests even a trace, it will cause her throat to start swelling shut. She must get immediate medical attention – a shot of adrenaline (I hope she carries an Epi-pen?) -- so she can breathe again.

But there are delayed food allergies as well, the ones involving IgG. These are getting increasing attention because delayed food allergies have been linked to several auto-immune disorders such as Celiac Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lupus, migraines and Rheumatoid Arthritis. These are detected through a blood test.

The IgG reactions can take place up to 72 hours after a food has been eaten. Symptoms are not as obvious, but are more likely to include sleep disturbances, sinus infections, crankiness.

Researchers are linking numerous disorders/symptoms/conditions to the possibility of delayed allergic reaction:

Multiple Sclerosis
Autism
Fibromyalgia
Obsessive behaviors
Eczema
Unexplained rashes
Asthma
Headaches
Chronic infections
Even learning disabilities

In August 2005, we had IgG and IgE blood tests done on LuLu through Great Plains Laboratory. While the IgE testing did not yield any results that a traditional allergist would have called an allergy, there were several foods that she showed more delayed sensitivities too. Casein and all other dairy components were the high scorers. She also showed reaction to almonds, eggs, and gluten.

Most doctors recommend elimination of foods that are found to cause delayed reactions. The results for many children with developmental delays or other neurological disorders is a marked improvement in some symptoms and behaviors.

For LuLu, we didn’t seen an immediate behavioral improvement, but did notice a slight decrease in aggressive behaviors. Over time it has been interesting to note that if she eats casein now, she will have a stomach ache and often changes in her bowels. She did not have those reactions before. But as her body has healed, the behaviors are less likely to show up when she had a diet infraction…but the physical symptoms are.

Delayed Food Allergy Testing
Great Plains Laboratory

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