Low IgE from coeliac test so no RAST done :/

[pinkism]

Hi just recieved a letter from peads outpatient re my 13mo DS bloods.
He has a history of reactions (urticaria/vomiting/diarroea/hysterics) with dairy, egg, sesame and spinach.

Finally got bloods done at 12mo including coeliac as I have coeliac and he 'looks' coelic shaped IYKWIM.
Report says coeliac test negative and low IgE levels so RAST tests not done.
His iron levels have come back as v low despite a really good diet so he's now on iron supps.

Not sure what this means and not got his next appt til May.

Is this all good news or should they have done the tests?
Have had problems with this hospital in the first place when they originally gave useless advice (continue all diet and review in 6mo, had big reaction and got referred to big hospital who gave pepti-J, advised give NO known allergens and referred back for continuing care).

Well done for getting the tests done! I'd say this is good- it's good that you know this now and can take action where need be.

Does your little one eat meat? A bit of meat should amp his iron levels up. Is your 13 mo eating solids?

If I were you, I would get a second opinion, especially as you've had problems with this hospital before.

Good luck! I know he'll be fine! Let me know how you get on!
x

FYI-I'm not a doctor :( but I believe strongly in maternal feelings, and going with those feelings :) x

If you are excluding known allergens including gluten, you may get a false negative on the IgE tests. It does not mean that he is OK with them, just that the antibodies are not being produced / are not present.

I am not an expert but am going through an investigative process with DS2 who has a number of issues. I think a low IgE is good news but it can mean that he is not eating anything right now that is causing him a problem.

If there are no IgE antibodies, there is nothing to test the potential allergens against.

However, if you are happy that there are no current symptoms, you could have skin prick tests done on the foods you are excludingand if OK, reintroduce the foods under supervision and repeat the IgE test.

The Coeliac Diagnosis can only be absolutely confirmed / excluded if the patient has been on gluten for some time - that time varies in what I've read from 2 weeks to 6 weeks.

I had this too, endoscopy aswell for coeliacs as had low iron - a common sympton. It too was ruled out and I grew out of it.

hth.

Thankyou, he has had gluten since 7mo but the doctor said to check anyway as I was initially asymptomatic apart from being v thin, big belly and dark eyes. Also my hb was 4.
I am most worried about nuts and shellfish as he hasn't even touched them.

If you are worried then I would ask in May to have skin pricks done for nuts and shellfish in addition to the foods to which he previously reacted.

(though I have been talked out of RAST tests again and I wish I'd stood my ground - will be back on the phone next week with a "Be Firm" note in front of me!!)