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Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
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Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
We stand behind our service
Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
With friendly doctor's notes & guidance
Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
This test is ideal if you're experiencing unexplained allergic reactions like itching, hives, flushing, or even fainting episodes. It measures histamine levels in your blood to help identify if your body is having an excessive allergic response or other conditions that cause histamine release. Many people use this test when they have severe allergic symptoms that haven't been explained by standard allergy testing.
You'll need to avoid taking allergy medications, antihistamines, oral corticosteroids, and substances that block H2 receptors for 24 hours before your blood draw. This includes common allergy medicines like Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, and heartburn medications like Pepcid or Zantac. Taking these medications can affect your histamine levels and make your results inaccurate, so proper preparation is important for meaningful results.
This test measures plasma histamine, which is a chemical your body releases during allergic reactions. Elevated histamine levels can explain symptoms like itching, flushing, hives, digestive issues, and in severe cases, fainting or shock. This measurement helps identify whether your symptoms are truly related to excessive histamine release and can also help detect certain rare conditions like gastric carcinoid tumors.
What this means
Your plasma histamine level is elevated above the optimal range, which may indicate an active allergic response or excessive histamine release in your body. This elevation could explain symptoms like hives, flushing, itching, or digestive issues you may be experiencing.
Recommended actions
Follow a low-histamine diet by avoiding aged cheeses, fermented foods, alcohol, and processed meats
Keep a symptom diary to identify potential triggers for histamine release
Manage stress through meditation or yoga, as stress can trigger histamine release
Consider retesting in 4-8 weeks after dietary and lifestyle modifications