https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:06:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1614283 Mon, 05 May 2014 17:39:36 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1614283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerblonde: Happy to pass on info :) The reason that avoiding the reactive items made me worse actually was because of what I was eating instead. The substitutes are what aggravated my real problem. Sorry if this was unclear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1614212 Mon, 05 May 2014 17:04:36 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1614212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerblonde: IgG is a measure of your tolerance (not intolerance) so it's not surprising that you had high levels with respect to your favorite foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1614195 Mon, 05 May 2014 16:55:17 +0000 gingerblonde 1614195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: To be honest, I had never considered having food allergies or sensitivity before the naturopath suggested that I take the test. I guess that's why I'm asking for opinions about it - I'm still not sure how I really feel about whether it seems like something that could be affecting me. All I know is that I have had some rather unusual swelling and I wondered if it was a factor. I think you're right that an allergist would be a good next step.</p> <p>@Mrs.Someone: Thank you very much for your perspective! Interesting that avoiding the reactive items initially made your issues worse. Truthfully, I don't really have GI issues. I don't feel like I have any serious health issues outside of the excessive weight gain and swelling, other than headaches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613546 Mon, 05 May 2014 13:05:18 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1613546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the IgG and IgE tests taken by my naturopath in hopes of calming my GI issues and helping me be able to hold onto a pregnancy. The way she explained it, is IgG reactive foods have cause inflammation, and IgE are real allergies. I was pretty good at avoiding the items that I was reactive to (IgG) and it actually made my issues worse (because of the real problem). For now, I just avoid the highly reactive things since I am pregnant.</p> <p>What my real problem ended up being was fructose malabsorption, which was/is treated by the FODMAP diet that @MrsADS mentions. Its a really complicated diet to follow, but it made sense for me since my GI issues were such a problem. It solved it right away, and I did end up loosing a little weight in the process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613486 Mon, 05 May 2014 12:45:58 +0000 spaniellove 1613486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you truly think you have food allergies I would recommend getting tested through an allergist, not a naturopath/acupuncturist. My allergist did the skin test on me because the blood tests are known to come back with false positives. What made me wonder about whether you were reacting wasn't so much the weight gain as the swelling - for me, every time I had a sudden swelling episode it turned out I'd been exposed to one of my allergens (I have multiple food allergies, confirmed by a skin test) and Benadryl took care of the episode. I'd definitely see an allergist before trying any home remedies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613228 Mon, 05 May 2014 11:25:11 +0000 gingerblonde 1613228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Good thought, maybe an allergist is the next step.</p> <p>@MrsADS: I will look into that! Interestingly, I had no reaction to gluten or many things that seem to be triggers for lots of folks with sensitivities/intolerance. I was highly reactive to pineapple (my favorite), banana, cranberry, mushroom, almonds (another favorite), coffee bean, sugar cane and milk... though not cheese. Weird. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613220 Mon, 05 May 2014 11:23:15 +0000 MrsADS 1613220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could also try a low FODMAP diet (google it). It's designed for people who have GI reactions to food - bloating, gas, diarrhea/constipation, etc. but I think it is sometimes also recommended for certain skin conditions and sinuses/environmental allergens. It's sort of an elimination diet and then you can slowly add stuff back in to see what works for you. The biggest things are no gluten, no lactose, no cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage), no beans/lentils. </p> <p>I'm not "allergic" to any of those foods, but trying to avoid the ones I know I am sensitive to (gluten, milk, cruciferous veggies, beans) really make a HUGE difference in how I feel. For example - I'm a really skinny person with a pretty flat tummy. If I eat a lot of gluten, my belly swells up like I'm 5 months pregnant and I can't go to the bathroom for days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613196 Mon, 05 May 2014 11:13:09 +0000 Cole 1613196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if there are multiple types of blood tests for allergies but my husband has a known allergy to peanuts and was recently retested by his gp via blood test to see if the severity had decreased. They didn't do a skin test due to the severity of his allergy. I don't know that that information is super helpful but I thought I would share in case someone else knows what test I am referring to. </p> <p>Another thought might be to go to an allergist and ask them to do a skin test. Perhaps the combination of information would help you make a more informed decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613192 Mon, 05 May 2014 11:11:49 +0000 gingerblonde 1613192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: @MrsRcCar: Thanks to both of you ladies, I'm curious, and will wall you both. :)</p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Yep, definitely saw that article last night! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613177 Mon, 05 May 2014 11:06:08 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1613177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your husband is correct. <a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/igg-food-intolerance-tests-what-does-the-science-say/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/igg-food-intolerance-tests-what-does-the-science-say/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613168 Mon, 05 May 2014 11:02:10 +0000 MrsRcCar 1613168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerblonde: I am not sure about those tests but I did a test called the ALCAT. It is a blood test all about food/medical/environment intolerances. I found out that my body is gluten intolerant among a few other things. I have lost 60+ pounds because of what I have learned. I should also say I took the ALCAT because I was hoping to avoid surgery on my sinuses . Wall me if you want the run down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613158 Mon, 05 May 2014 10:59:24 +0000 Boheme 1613158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had very similar issues during pregnancy - 60 lb gain despite logging my intake and exercising - and after completing 6 weeks on an elimination diet, there are foods I'm really reactive to now. Following to see what kind of advice you get! I've been considering this as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-know-about-food-allergiesfood-intolerance-blood-tests#post-1613148 Mon, 05 May 2014 10:56:49 +0000 gingerblonde 1613148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am due with my first LO this month. I gained around 60 pounds with this pregnancy, despite logging food intake and getting good exercise. I have also struggled with very severe swelling and bloating, but my blood pressure is on the low side and all seems well otherwise with my other bloodwork.</p> <p>My naturopath/acupuncturist recommended that I do the food allergy/intolerance blood panel, and I recently got my results back. She ran the Standard Food Panel for IgG antibodies. </p> <p>My husband has expressed quite a bit of skepticism about this blood test and about whether I genuinely do have any food intolerance issues. He pulled up many, many articles stating that only IgE antibodies are clearly indicative of a food allergy or intolerance, and that the IgG isn't recommended for testing and that results about its accuracy are inconclusive and hazy at best.</p> <p>Does anyone here have any insight into this issue? If I am inadvertently causing my body harm by eating some of the items I tested as being "highly reactive" to, I want to know so I can work on modifying my diet. If he is right that IgG isn't a good resource, I want to know that as well. </p> <p>Any help is much appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1314273 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:30:48 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1314273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jodyblair: I know, I was super nervous! When I ate a Butterfinger on Halloween I remember checking the ingredients and thinking there was hardly any dairy/soy in it (she'd been doing ok with soy lecithin at that point). Maybe something like that or a baked good that you can see the ingredients would be good. Good luck!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1313969 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:45:59 +0000 jodyblair 1313969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Deer: Thank you so much for all the info! I'm a detail person too, so I appreciate that :) I had originally planned on giving DS the dairy so I could keep my milk clean, but I'm wondering if he may be able to tolerate it better if I eat it. I guess the only way to find out is to try it and see what happens! I'm nervous! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1313539 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 12:38:26 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1313539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jodyblair: We actually have had some recent success! :) This is where we're at:</p> <p>- When she was 9 months old (end of September) I tried giving her two bites of yogurt in the morning. I debated between that and baked dairy but decided she would probably like yogurt better. She seemed fine all day, so the next day I gave her another two bites in the morning. Again, fine all day. That night after putting her to bed, she suddenly woke up about an hour later and threw-up all over the place. She threw-up repeatedly for about an hour or so :( I decided no more trying dairy for awhile.</p> <p>- The end of October I broke down and had some candy at Halloween (first dairy for me in over 7 months). I originally thought I would only introduce dairy to her so that my milk would stay clean, but oh well! I ended up not seeing any reaction in her, so I thought I would be the one to experiment from then on. I tried some baked dairy (muffins, a donut) and she usually did pretty well. Sometimes she'd have a little spit-up the next morning but nothing too major. I did accidentally have some seasoning that I believe had some soy protein in it, because the next morning she spit-up repeatedly (chunky and yucky) so that told me she definitely was still having a hard time with it. </p> <p>- Middle of Decemeber: I started really craving some sweets, so I experimented with some cookies and a donut or two. I noticed that she wasn't really reacting at all (yay!). By this point she was just about a year. We went home for the holidays and stayed at my in-law's. I tried not to have too much dairy, but I did have cheese and butter (yay!!!). She had a teenie bit of spit up, but overall I would say it's a huge improvement!</p> <p>Sorry this is so long, I know when I've ready people's experiences with MSPI I like details :) I need to write a post on this soon I think. But yes, I would definitely try something! Maybe just something small and baked, then wait a day or two to see how your LO is doing. The difference in how she handled it was big between 9 and 12 months, so don't be too disappointed if you still have some more time to wait. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1313223 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 11:01:16 +0000 jodyblair 1313223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry to resurrect an old post, but I'm about to try dairy (LO is 9 months) and I wanted to see if you had any success @Mrs. Deer: I'd love to hear how it has gone! I'm dyyyyying for some food :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1102737 Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:17:35 +0000 JoJoGirl 1102737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dying. For. Pizza. That is all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1102131 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:27:42 +0000 pl0508 1102131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Diagnosed at 3 mo. Trailed soy at 4.5 and he was fine. Introduced dairy back at 7 mo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1102114 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:15:09 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1102114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Deer: it will be heaven! Hang in there mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1102094 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:06:37 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1102094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: thanks! I was thinking about doing some allergy testing since she seems so sensitive to soy, but I remembered in your post how you said your LO was also sensitive to soybean oil and soy lecithin...so maybe we'll be okay, hmmm. I haven't had to eliminate anything else though. I can't wait until this is (hopefully!) no longer an issue and we can go out and get a slice of pizza :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1102085 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:01:30 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1102085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trials after a year<br /> We followe the regimen I propose in my blog post for re-introduction<br /> We saw the allergist and found a life threatening nut allergy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1102081 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 19:59:13 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1102081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: that sounds so good! I would eat that in a second :) I hope the trial at 6 months goes well </p> <p>@MamaMoose: that's encouraging! Wow, I thought it was tough eliminating dairy/soy but that's a lot, good job mama!</p> <p>@brownie: I'm wondering if she doesn't have more of a sensitivity to soy than dairy. She reacted to soybean oil and soy lecithin (I got a little too excited when I thought I could eat Oreos -darn!!). I think I'll stick with slowly doing dairy (her, not me, agree on not messing up my milk!) and keep avoiding soy for awhile. And I think you're totally right about this being parent-led!</p> <p>@prettylizy: From what I've read it doesn't seem all it nothing. Some things they're ok with and others not... I wish I knew before I start giving her stuff which will go ok :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1101160 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:42:52 +0000 prettylizy 1101160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tried around 1 year ish, she's been better with soy and we don't limit that anymore. As of 18 months I think she's still a little sensitive to dairy, but not as bad. Lasagna = no bueno. Cake baked with butter/milk in it, not a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1101152 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:40:30 +0000 brownie 1101152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started trialing every few months starting at 6 months old. It was easier to feed it to him then mess up my milk for weeks. He is now 2 and can do dairy but is still intolerant to soy. We have a Gastro because he was failure to thrive. I don't think it is required if you have support. So much is parent led in this journey. We always started with soy which was our mistake. Starting with soybean oil and then lecithin and then trace cooked soy. Same with dairy, trace dairy, then cheese. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1101146 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:39:30 +0000 MamaMoose 1101146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO had the same symptoms (spit up and mucousy poop). I ended up having to eliminate a TON of stuff: dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, fish and nuts. Around 8 months we saw a GI specialist who checked my LO out and said that she was developing/gaining really well and wanted me to start trying to add things back in to my diet. We did it slowly (1 week per new food) but I was able to add every item back in and LO didn't react at all. She's almost 10 months now and I've even given her dairy directly (yogurt and cheese) and she's still not reacting. So I think think it's a good time to try. I would start by trying items that have trace amounts and make sure you isolate one or the other (dairy or soy) so that if your LO does react you know which item is causing it. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1101143 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:37:39 +0000 JoJoGirl 1101143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I went out for a fancy dinner and I wasn't NOT going to get the potatoes au gratin ;) I wouldn't recommend starting with this, though. We sent poop samples to her ped the next day who confirmed she was still intolerant (she was 3.5 months old). She actually didn't seem to be too affected by it, but I'm back off dairy. I think at the 6 month mark I'll try again. We've only seen our ped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-mspi-mamas-1#post-1101138 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:35:39 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1101138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those who have ventured before us...</p> <p>- What ages did you trial dairy/soy?<br /> - What foods did you try?<br /> - Did you see a GI doc or allergist through this process? Or just your ped?</p> <p>Babe got diagnosed at 3 months with both a milk and soy intolerance (tons of spitup and mucousy poop - no colic symptoms). I've since eliminated both from my diet and am still breastfeeding. She's almost 9 months and though I plan on not having dairy around in the future too much, it'd be so nice to eat out and not stress about trace amounts in our food. So yes, we're hoping to test the waters a bit! Any tips you can give us would be much appreciated! We haven't seen anyone other than her pediatrician (who said just stop eating dairy/soy - nothing else) and I'm wondering if we should consult with anyone else before starting. </p>