Did anyone read yesterday’s Boston Globe story, written by Deborah Kotz, “Fighting Food Allergies;Newer blood tests show that many children are misdiagnosed, while researchers look for a cure”? The article kicks off with a story about a little girl who thought she had a peanut allergy, but actually was not allergic to peanut but to birch pollen, which has similar allergy triggering proteins. The little girl was thrilled to no end to discover she could eat peanut after living a savvy food allergy life. The article does not directly link the testing that discovered the truth but the parent did mention it was the best $300 he has ever spent-the same price of the UknowPeanut™ Molecular Test.
Coincidence? Of course, I’m now very curious as to what test did this little girl take! Last week I blogged about UknowPeanut™ Molecular Testing and the test has been on my mind all weekend long. As you read onward in the article, Ms. Kotz mentions quite a few interesting and important points regarding when do expose a child to nuts, egg immunotherapy and most of the all, the need for better and more accurate testing. I enjoyed the article and paused to give thought to the possibility of over diagnosis of food allergies.
Truth be told, I would much better have my physician diagnosis on the side food allergy verses not diagnosing and my child experiencing anaphylaxis. Although, I may be standing alone on this one, but alas, it is my truth.
I sent an email to the author, Deborah Kotz to inquire about the test she referenced. Now, Pirllab, a division of Phadia (providers of molecular testing), also offers molecular testing on other food items, but are waiting on FDA clearance on those items. Could the little girl, who also tested for carrots have used a test from Pirllab? I also email Dr. Reinhardt from Uknowpeanut™ to also see if this could be their test. It may not be appropriate to share this information but I am sure I’ll hear from either party.
Check out Deborah Kotz’s, “Fighting Food Allergies;Newer blood tests show that many children are misdiagnosed, while researchers look for a cure”… comment below to share your thoughts on the article.
Happy Tuesday!
[fbshare type=”button”] [pinterest count=”horizontal”]
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..