tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192565923570468744.post1407945731908637903..comments2023-08-26T04:52:43.223-04:00Comments on Food Allergy Assistant: Diagnose Food Allergies: New ToolsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04591880646831697311noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192565923570468744.post-76506030640617871072009-11-20T11:18:01.359-05:002009-11-20T11:18:01.359-05:00Thanks for your comments, Annonymous! I re-read th...Thanks for your comments, Annonymous! I re-read the press release and still feel hopeful about these new tools. <br /><br />The information says, "With Immuno Solid-phase Allergy Chip, allergists can identify precisely those patients in danger of severe allergic reaction to allergens such as peanut, wheat, or egg and many others."<br /><br />That's helpful information to me. To know that my child is allergic to, but won't have an anaphylactic reaction to a particular food is information I want. He still carries an Epi-Pen, but it helps me with my risk assessment of a situation.<br /><br />The "ImmunoCAP HR" cited in the story also seems to give better information about sensitivity. Information I want. <br /><br />You're right, blood testing is not desirable for allergy diagnosis. I am just glad to see that there is on-going research into giving people better and more helpful information related to their food allergies.<br /><br />The post I really want to write is, "Finally, a Cure!". Soon, I hope...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04591880646831697311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192565923570468744.post-58320772964014733702009-11-18T11:54:56.679-05:002009-11-18T11:54:56.679-05:00I think you are misunderstanding what the test is ...I think you are misunderstanding what the test is measuring. It is not quantifiable, like a RAST test. It will only tell you a range of recognition from low to high. That is not really useful. The potential in the test is that it does look at food specific epitopes, but until you can quantify that, there is no utility. I would not use this to guide any managment either, and I would be wary of anyone who would. It will not, however, as you say, "help everyone know more precisely how allergic the individual is" until it can tell you exactly how many ku/l of the item is present. And even then, a blood test is still the least preferred way to make the diagnosis. This can eventually help determine who would be better served by a food challenge, but I think you are reading way too much into this press release.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com