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Do Gi Docs Also Test For Allergies?

Aeval

By Aeval
in Doctors

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Aeval Rookie
Aeval
Posted

Hi,

I'm still very new to this site but have learned so much from it already. I have my first appt. w/a GI doc this Thursday for my 1st set of Celiac tests. I think I have some sort of problem with wheat but am not sure if it's Celiac. I break out in hives and rashes a lot. I sometimes have stomach problems but think they may come from dairy. Anyway, I think I may have a wheat allergy rather than an intolerance but figured I'd get tested for everything.

Do GI docs test for allergies (like wheat and dairy) or should I try to go to some sort of allergy specialist for those?

Thanks,

Aeval

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GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted

I asked my GI specialist this just last week and he told me that they could run a few tests, but probably not to the extent that would prove helpful. He did tell me, however that an Allergist would be the person to see for this. There is a test by York Laboratories that tests for 100's of intolerances, called ELISA if you don't want to see a doctor for it. Remember that when they're testing for intolerances, they're looking for an IGG autoimmune response and for allergies, they're looking for an IGE autoimmune response. You might look into both.

Your GI doctor should be able to test you for celiac, lactose intolerance and some others, but for more specific testing, I'd go through York or see an Allergist.

Oh, one more thing... if you're looking into doing the York testing, you can ask your doctor to order it... maybe your GI would be open to that.

Good luck!

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Gretchen

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Theoretically, GI docs would look for and treat things like celiac disease (which is an intolerance, not an allergy), but an allergist would look for and treat allergies.

celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

When I went to a GI (before I was diagnosed), I had all sorts of tests run to figure out what was wrong with me (sonograms, bone age, etc.). I was tested for celiac and other allergies, as well.......

Aeval Rookie
Aeval
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replies. I'm so glad I found this website. Everyone's been great.

Aeval

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted

This is a really good article on the ELISA testing:

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1042

I e-mailed it to my new GI doctor and he's looking into it. He's a really cool doctor. GI's deal so much with IBS, that I'm sure they'd like answers as well. It's worth talking with your doctor about.

Gretchen

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