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Test Histamine Levels
  Histamine, Test Levels
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Histamine is a chemical responsible for numerous symptoms of allergic reaction. The amount present in the blood or urine can help confirm or rule out the presence of an allergy. For three days prior to the test, avoid ingesting foods that increase histamine levels (particularly cheeses and sauerkraut). A blood sample or urine sample will be taken and then analysed.

Histamine levels that are slightly elevated suggest that symptoms may be due to an allergic reaction, although the specific allergens can not be identified through this test. Extremely high levels may indicate mastocytosis, or possibly cancer. Note that false-positive and false-negative results are possible.

Depending on the results, further testing may be recommended. Possibilities are: skin tests, RAST, or challenge tests; biopsy and/or CT scan.





Test Histamine Levels can help with the following:
Hormones  Histapenia (Histamine Low)
  Histadelia (Histamine High)


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GLOSSARY

Allergen (Allergens)
A substance that is capable of producing an allergic response in the body.

Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.

Biopsy
Removal of a sample of tissue from a living being for diagnosis. A pathologist later uses a microscope to look for certain features, such as cancer cells, in the sample. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy involves inserting a thin needle to remove a small amount of tissue, sometimes using CT or ultrasound to guide the needle. A core biopsy involves obtaining a sample of tissue with a thick needle or by inserting a thin, lighted tube (laparoscope) into a small incision in the abdomen. Another biopsy method is to remove tissue during an operation.

Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.

Computerised Tomography (CAT Scan, Computed Tomography, Computerized Axial Tomography, CT Scan)
A scanning procedure using X-rays and a computer to detect abnormalities of the body's organs. This technique provides cross-sectional images of body organs, which is much clearer than those provided by conventional X-rays.

Histamine
A chemical in the body tissues, produced by the breakdown of histidine. It is released in allergic reactions and causes widening of capillaries, decreased blood pressure, increased release of gastric juice, fluid leakage forming itchy skin and hives, and tightening of smooth muscles of the bronchial tube and uterus. Histamine is the chemical that drives the initial acute allergic reaction, causing itching, swelling and congestion.




Last updated: Apr 13, 2008


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