Is there such thing as a delayed food allergy or food sensitivity?

I was reading about a test ELISA/ACT (Lymphocyte Response Assay) which tests for 400 common food allergies. They are hidden, in that there symptoms are delayed (1-5 days) and manifest in symptoms other than hives, asthma etc.

This link better explain the test compared to the RAST. I am very interested in your professional opinion because it was suggest that I take this test, which is extremely expensive and not covered by insurance. Then I read elsewhere that is bogus. So what do you think?

http://members.tripod.com/~CheriR/Rast.h...

The ELISA tests test for IgG mediated allergic reactions (which the medical field calls intolerances or sensitivies). What the medical field considers allergies is IgE mediated allergic reactions, which are generally "instant" reactions usually occuring within 15 minutes - 2 hours from contact, though even IgE can take up to 24 hours.

IgE, IgA, IgG, etc.. Are all facets of your body's immune response system. IgG responses can occur within hours, but generally you won't see the results for at least 1-3 days.

Your link has some facts wrong btw. RAST testing only tests for IgE mediated allergic responses. ELISA only tests IgG and is new and growing in its reputation. Some places that test IgG also do a new test called a CAP-RAST which tests IgE responses but is much more sensitive/accurate than old RAST tests.

IgG (delayed reactions) can be nearly impossible to discover on your own, and the ELISA can be extremely helpful for pinning down these reactions.

One of the issues (complaints) about IgG testing is that IgG reactions are considered temporary, meaning that if you avoid the food for 4 months (or so) you should be able to add the food back in without problems. For most people, the 4 months of avoidance allows them to "reset" their system and then add the food back in without issue, there are a few people with overactive immune systems (extreme allergies) in which it takes much longer for this reset to happen.

I do recommend getting the test done if you can afford it, as it will really improve your quality of life if you stick to the complete avoidance for the full 4 months. (you won't believe the amount of stuff that delayed reactions do to you)

I will say though that just because its delayed reactions doesn't mean that it doesn't manifest in hives, asthma, shortness of breath, or sinus trouble. There are many people who have hives, breathing problems, and even eczema that is caused by delayed reactions.

Because the cost of the test is so high (some insurances do cover it, but some don't), I'd try to rule out other things with tests that are covered by insurances such as IgE testing (skin prick & RAST, or even CAP-RAST if your insurance covers it). I'd also have a Celiac panel ran (cheap and most insurances cover it) to rule out gluten as a potential problem. Celiac can cause the body to develop multiple delayed food allergies due to intestinal damage, so do rule this out before going through the ELISA. If those give you no answers, and you're plagued by issues.. esp. eczema, sinus problems, digestive problems, reflux, skin problems, breathing, snoring, concentration, confusion, mood problems, mental problems, etc. Then I'd recommend putting the money into the ELISA test.

It did wonders for me as I would never have figured out half of my food problems without it. However, my insurance covered it completely so cost was not an issue for me. The test I had done was through, Immunolabs which also has an excellent CAP-RAST test (Immunosorbent Allergy Assay Panel - IgE 36) which was extremely helpful as well. http://www.immunolabs.com/

Yes! I am allergic to red food dye. It must process through my system for a few hours before the reaction begins and in most cases I must have ingested a certain amount to cause the reaction. Example, one of my medications had red dye. I took it for over a week before the reaction occur ed. It took a while to finally figure out it was the red dye in the pill.