This is truly an overlooked reason for allergic reactions and, as of a year or two ago, the test is not always definitive. A friend’s adult son was bitten by a tick and soon started reacting to red meat. His doctor sent blood for the alpha-gal allergy test and it came back negative. Believing the test accuracy, he again ate some meat and again reacted. (I don’t think he has been tested again.) No more red meat for him! Strangely enough, his mother also has it but not as severe a reaction. She just aches all over if she eats meat. That’s not to say it can’t progress to the other signs of allergy. She also has fibromyalgia and thinks the symptoms may be related to it because the symptoms she has are exactly the symptoms she has with a fibromyalgia flare. I think I’d believe the symptoms and not necessarily the test.
As an aside, one of the main researchers for alpha-gal was at the Auburn University Veterinary College so if you want to do a deep research dive, you may find some info in veterinary journals; his name is Byron Blagburn. (I just learned he passed away in May)
Great article, Mary!
This is truly an overlooked reason for allergic reactions and, as of a year or two ago, the test is not always definitive. A friend’s adult son was bitten by a tick and soon started reacting to red meat. His doctor sent blood for the alpha-gal allergy test and it came back negative. Believing the test accuracy, he again ate some meat and again reacted. (I don’t think he has been tested again.) No more red meat for him! Strangely enough, his mother also has it but not as severe a reaction. She just aches all over if she eats meat. That’s not to say it can’t progress to the other signs of allergy. She also has fibromyalgia and thinks the symptoms may be related to it because the symptoms she has are exactly the symptoms she has with a fibromyalgia flare. I think I’d believe the symptoms and not necessarily the test.
As an aside, one of the main researchers for alpha-gal was at the Auburn University Veterinary College so if you want to do a deep research dive, you may find some info in veterinary journals; his name is Byron Blagburn. (I just learned he passed away in May)
Wow. So complicated. Go AU!!
Holy smoke. i have a friend with this. She can only eat chicken. I’ll have to tell her about alligator… does it come in bacon flavor?
Haha! She can eat reptiles, fish, birds. Amphibians if inclined! Just no mammals.
I ‘ll let her know. I think she’ll stick with chicken until something acceptable grows pot roast and drumsticks