Re-tested After 9 Years & Questions

The different result ranges probably have to do with the different tests. The first test was a RAST test and this latest test must have been a CAP RAST, which is a newer version.

My son is over 100 for peanuts but in the low range for all tree nuts. However, he's only ever had a reaction to walnuts (minor), so we keep him off everything. I'm not sure what I would do with the tree nut results for your daughter. I'm kind of in the same boat since Ben has never reacted to anything except walnut (but like you, contact has been minimal). We keep him off everything, but our comfort zone is pretty broad compared to most people here.

Thanks BENSMOM. I had wondered if it might be the RAST vs. the CAP RAST, but I have no way of knowing short of calling the lab. The DR simply wrote "RAST for Peanuts" when he ordered it, and then the lab took it from there. I guess it doesn't really matter though, as there is the commonality of the Classes... but I am curious about everything when it comes to this allergy! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

My concern with the other nuts is that I have always said "just peanuts..." and now I may have to amend that (and re-train everyone!).

My 5yo daughter is Class 3 to cashews and pistachios. When she ate cashews (I believe for the first time) almost 2 years ago, within 5 minutes she was crying and clutching her throat, saying "It's getting worser", and one eye (not both) got puffy. After about 15 minutes, she vomited twice, and then the symptoms went away on their own. (I did not seek medical help, because I really didn't understand what was happening, and was thinking she perhaps had a piece of the nut caught in her throat. It wasn't until the next day I thought I'd better find out if it had been an allergic reaction.) At no time did she have trouble breathing, and there was no wheezing, but there was definitely significant discomfort in her throat. I've never been quite sure if this could be considered anaphylactic (opinions, anyone?), but I think it was, since it came on so quickly and affected 3 different body systems (throat, face and stomach). Since it went right for her throat, we are very cautious now. Hope this helps.

Lori

Thanks LCG for the reply. It sounds to me like your daughter experienced anaphylaxis during that reaction, and you are just very fortunate that it wasn't worse, since it was her first one.

In doing some on-line research tonight, I think I might have found a possible answer to my own question about the RAST results. Since I searched this site before posing the question, I know that there has been much discussion about varying test results among alot of us. I found an article entiled "Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST) Methods for Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) 510(k)s; Final Guidance for Industry and FDA" on the FDA's website that states "The specific IgE units of measurement are interpreted by a scoring system, with classes ranging from 0 to 6. Scoring systems consisting of arbitrary units will vary according to individual test systems. Subsequent procedural laboratory instructions will vary with the test method that is utilized. Classification interpretation and procedural instructions should be fully described in the package insert."

So basically, I assume, they are saying that there are several pre-packaged RAST tests out there, and depending on who made them, the way of measuring & values may be different... but the resulting Classes are a commonality.

Just incase anyone else wants to view that link, it is: [url="http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ode/guidance/800.html"]http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ode/guidance/800.html[/url]

[This message has been edited by KWest (edited August 20, 2002).]