Could An IgE Mediated Allergy To Wheat Mask A Gluten Intolerance?
An allergist generally tests for IgE mediated allergic reactions and may suggest an elimination diet to identify other foods that your body is reacting to. However, in my experience, allergists don’t test for IgA and/or IgG mediated reactions to foods. This is a problem because gluten intolerance is IgA and IgG mediated. With this in mind, people could get diagnosed with a wheat allergy and this could mask an undiagnosed gluten intolerance.
Let me explain further, some people may go to the allergist, get diagnosed with a wheat allergy (IgE mediated), but not get the full diagnosis of having a gluten intolerance. Once they start to eat wheat free they may feel better since a large percentage of gluten would be removed from their diet. However, symptom relief may not last or be complete since they may still be ingesting rye, barley, and contaminated oats. They may continue to suffer, with only a partial diagnosis, and this could lead to further complications and symptoms associated with gluten intolerance.
Hopefully, people who are still suffering in this situation would would look look for help from a knowledgeable doctor and get a complete diagnosis. For others, the symptoms may be vague or they may get misdiagnosed with other diagnosis.
With this in mind, I think everyone with a wheat allergy should be screened for a gluten intolerance. Otherwise, the gluten intolerance could be masked and people could be left at risk, only partially diagnosed. What do you think?
I have an IgE mediated antibody reaction to wheat and I have celiac disease. Individuals with a gluten intolerance usually have an IgA or IgG antibody reaction to gluten unless they have an IgE mediated allergy too.
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