If you are suffering from widespread symptoms, you may be one of 17 out of a 100 people (17%) suffering from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.♣

This immune disease can cause rashes, flushing, allergic symptoms, muscle aches, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypotension, dizziness or fainting, fast heart rates, wheezes, and itch.♠ Not all symptoms need to be present, but usually multiple organs are involved.♠

Mast cells are cells that are involved with allergic inflammation as well as other types of inflammation.♦ These cells can affect blood vessel tone.♦

When the body is affected with significant symptoms, a blood test for tryptase can be measured.♦ If the level rises by 20% in a flare up, this suggests MCAS is possible, especially if symptoms are recurrent, involving more than one organ, and respond to certain allergy medications♦. If H1/H2 blockers, anti-leukotrienes, or mast cell stabilizers improve symptoms, this can help confirm diagnosis.♠

The cause can be genetic. In other cases, the IgE immune system is affected. There may not be a cause found.

This condition is fairly common, and can be mild or severe. If you have unexplained widespread symptoms, consider asking your family doctor about MCAS.

For my patients: I will test a base line tryptase level. If you have flare up symptoms – suddenly feeling much worse – call the office and ask receptionist (MOA) to send the follow up lab req to the lab and immediately do another blood test. 

A low histamine diet can help. There are medications that can improve symptoms. Remember always consult your healthcare provider before changing your medications or diet.

Take care

Judy

References:

♣.Weinstock LB, Nelson RM, Blitshteyn S. Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Response to Mast-Cell-Directed Treatment: A Case Series. J Pers Med. 2023 Oct 31;13(11):1562. doi: 10.3390/jpm13111562. PMID: 38003876; PMCID: PMC10672129.

♠.Frieri M. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2018 Jun;54(3):353-365. doi: 10.1007/s12016-015-8487-6. PMID: 25944644.

♦.Valent P, Akin C, Nedoszytko B, Bonadonna P, Hartmann K, Niedoszytko M, Brockow K, Siebenhaar F, Triggiani M, Arock M, Romantowski J, Górska A, Schwartz LB, Metcalfe DD. Diagnosis, Classification and Management of Mast Cell Activation Syndromes (MCAS) in the Era of Personalized Medicine. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 27;21(23):9030. doi: 10.3390/ijms21239030. PMID: 33261124; PMCID: PMC7731385.