Mast Cell Disorder and Anxiety

Summary:

Sue had navigated strange reactions to a range of compounds and foods for over 20 years. The reactions would range in severity and were commonly skin itching and sometimes hives, frequent diarrhea, brain fog, and almost constant anxiety. She had been to an allergist that found allergies to some common plants and she had tried several medications for anxiety, but despite seeking help she had continued to have 'flares' several times throughout the year.

How the case was evaluated:

• • • Blood testing was ordered to take a more thorough look at her case. Testing revealed:
      • • Elevated Tryptase
        • Elevated Whole Blood Histamine
        • Elevated Inflammation Markers: CRPhs and CRP
        • Nutrient Deficiencies: Magnesium and Zinc
        • Vitamin D imbalance: 1,25-OH was high while 25-OH was low
    • Stool testing showed a notable dysbiosis, but no pathogenic findings.
    • Mold mycotoxin testing showed elevations. It is suspected that she was being exposed to contaminated food.
    • Previous records showed indication for lyme exposure.
    • Follow up testing showed a hereditary alpha-tryptasemia (HaT).

Assessment:

Sue had fallen into a gap of conventional healthcare where her symptoms were bad enough to get interest, but not severe enough to 'check the boxes' for an obvious diagnosis. Patients often find that if there lab results or symptoms are in a sub-clinical stage of a disease that a diagnosis or monitoring gets overlooked or dismissed. She fit the criteria for a mast cell disorder diagnosis and had a concominant hereditary alpha-tryptasemia. This overreactive immune situation was causing her body to have seeming random reactions and create a excessive amount of histamine. It explained her body symptoms and her anxiety. With her current data, it was suspected that lyme exposure could have been an initial trigger.

Treatment:

• • • Mast cell and histamine focused treatment, both pharmaceutical and supplement. Due to her genetic condition, this is expected to be ongoing.
    • Mold mycotoxin protocol and dietary changes that resolved her mycotoxins.
    • Lifestyle and diet modifications to lessen reactive triggers.
    • Resoluation of nutrient deficiencies.
    • Supplementation to support inflammation and vitamin D balance.

Outcome:

Sue has had a significant lessening of her anxiety and her reactions are infrequent and mild now. She understands that there are additional layers of work that could be done and potential infectious triggers remaining, and will tackle them as her energy and motivation allows. She is thrilled with the awareness and improvement she has accomplished thus far. She is committed to an ongoing plan that will help her maintain her progress while also offering additional options.