So finally had his 6 month (or a little longer due to scheduling issues) check up with the allergist and I asked about the results.  For all the nuts that have component testing available, he tested positive for all of the components that indicate a systemic reaction.  All his numbers are on the low side and she fully admits to being a conservative allergist which I am fine with (Walnut being around 7, Almond was maybe .8).  She said we can test again in a couple years to see if anything changes...who knows what the future holds since just a few years ago there was no component testing.

If I want to push for food challenges, we'd probably need to find an allergist in Boston...but for now, we are happy with our allergist.

Sorry...that is disappointing.  Maybe they will send you a copy of the results before the appointment.

Well, I got a call from the allergists office, was not the doctor, they said the test showed he was still allergic so we need to continue to avoid nuts and carry the epi pens.  I have no more details, but since there are no food challenges in our near future we will wait until his May appt for find out the scoop.

Fingers crossed for good news!

DS had the blood draw for it today at Lab Corp.  Results will be back in a week or so.  All his Rast numbers are low.  Walnut was the highest being a 7.

The lab that did the component testing is:  PIRL https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/clinical/diagnostic-testing/condition-disease-diagnostics/allergy-autoimmune-disease-diagnostics/allergy-diagnostics/phadia-immunology-reference-laboratory.html

But the letterhead is for:  ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City UT.

And the client is our local Quest Diagnostics


Now if only I had a more scientific mind.....deciphering the results...or trying to understand them anyway.  There are some helpful tools and charts on the website I linked above.

Today's update is that there is no component test for almond at this time.  DD is on a list for if and when it is available.

I have scheduled 2 challenges for her, January and April for cashew and for walnut.  Her choice which goes first.

According to the nurse, they can not attach the lab results to an email, and they can not attach them to the electronic record.  So a hard copy was mailed to me by snail mail.....

Hopefully by early next week I will have it in my hands.

If you got a call in September, and then just got a letter from the allergist, why didn't the nurse just ask the allergist what results they were looking at?  Your allergist wouldn't go through all that without having results to base what they are telling you off of right?  That really would be a nurse saying, "let me talk to the allergist and call you back" type of thing. 

It all sounds weird.  And, like you, I would definitely want to see, for myself, what the lab results are now at this point.  On paper.  In my own hands.

I also still might question the nurse about what the allergist was looking at.... if there is something that is actually in my child's file.  And checking the dates.   

If it is on the testing results I get, I will share.  All I know right now is it is a 3rd party lab.

Purple Cat,
can you post he name of the lab doing these?  (Please don't if too personally identifying) . . . having trouble getting real answer from doc as to availability of NUT component testing for our kids  . . . really want this done so we can narrow down allergies for both kids.

Thanks!

Just got off the phone with a nurse at the allergist's office.  She is confused why the results aren't there and she can not access them either!  Not to mention, the doctor wrote a letter yesterday..............as if the first one did not exist......and it is different.....and I got a "whoops" as an excuse!

Now I really want to see the results!

The new letter says she is allergic to the high risk components of hazelnut.  She is not allergic to the his risk components of walnut, cashew or brazil nut.  She goes on to say we can open challenge cashew or walnut!

Now, it is good news...but the discrepancy/error really raises a flag for me.

I have scheduled a challenge for January...but now I don't know which nut we will address first.  Have to see what DD thinks.

  .... and you know that something like that is actually sitting in some lab's computer too.... they'll actually have to expend more effort printing & mailing. 

I did call, but the receptionist has to put the request in and she said they will be mailed.....   So much for going paperless!

Any news?  (Realizing that although you said you'd call on Monday, it is Halloween afterall......)

I went into our online account and her test results are not posted.  The lab that did the results is a 3rd party so I will ask for a copy of the results when I call on Monday to discuss a walnut challenge.