It is hard to believe that Eli has been in this program for one year. I’ll admit that at times, it feels like he’s been in it much longer. The day in and day out of maintenance and dosing is a lot of work both for him and for our family. We didn’t really know what to expect with the blood test results, but are happy to report that all of his numbers are trending in the right directions! They measure SO MANY markers that it is hard to explain, but I’ll go over two markers that are pretty common and how they’ve trended.
A blood test for food allergies can typically measure both the IGE and the IGG in your blood to certain proteins in food. IGE is an antibody to the foods, this is what will bind to the protein in a food Eli is allergic to and potentially cause anaphylaxis. They also measure IGG which is like a memory your immune system has of a food. IGG levels have not been linked to true food allergies, and the presence to IGG4 seems to be protective. As a side note, this is why a lot of food allergy “testing” done by companies like 23 and me are so dangerous. They are actually measuring IGG, which just means you’ve eaten the food recently. So many people have stopped eating foods that they aren’t allergic to because of misinformation like this. Real food allergy testing will include a blood test that measures IGE as well as skin prick tests and even food challenges and should be done with a board certified allergist. Even our general practitioners know very little about the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. It is a fast moving and complicated, specialized arm of medicine. There is an article HERE about blood tests and food allergies, if you are interested.
Eli’s IGE numbers to his allergenic foods have trended down, which means his morning maintenance was greatly reduced. He only has four daily foods, several three times a week foods, and then a whole bunch he eats once a week now (rather than daily!). It is a relief for him and for us to have that particular part lessen.
At his appointment he challenged denatured goat’s milk and duck yolk, both of which he passed. At his appointment the next day, he was introduced to denatured (boiled) cow’s milk and brazil nut, both of which he passed. I cannot even begin to describe how strange it is to dose Eli with denatured cow’s milk each day, it feels like hope.
Eli and Adam had fun exploring a ship, I’ve included some pictures below.
This is so exciting!!