How to test a histamine intolerance
Histamine intolerance is tested by a step-by-step procedure. The trend is to diagnose histamine intolerance non-invasively and clinically. This includes keeping a symptom diary and a low histamine diet. These two measures, possibly in combination with a provocation test, allow the diagnosis to be made. More complex tests, such as blood or urine analysis, are now only of minor importance.
These tests are available
Histamine intolerance testing is largely performed clinically. The first step is a detailed consultation with a physician, during which other possible diagnoses are excluded. This is followed by the keeping of a symptom diary for a few weeks.
During this time, one should not consciously avoid certain foods in order not to obtain distorted results. In the third step, one usually starts a so-called elimination diet. You should consciously avoid histamine-rich foods and alcohol under medical advice.
During this time, the symptoms diary is kept in order to be able to perceive changes. In the best case, the diet should be maintained for 2-4 weeks. If the symptoms improve, a diagnosis of histamine intolerance is likely.
In addition, a provocation test can be performed under controlled conditions. Within the framework of this test, one is given several liquids to drink. Some of these liquids contain histamine.
In the best case, neither the patient nor the examiner knows which liquids contain histamine and which do not (double-blind principle). Histamine intolerance can also be diagnosed by testing blood samples. In a first step, the activity of diaminooxidase (DAO) and the total amount of histamine in the blood are determined.
If these tests do not lead to clear results, further information can be obtained in a second step using molecular genetic methods. Furthermore, it is possible to examine urine or stool. However, both tests do not have good results and are therefore rarely used.
This doctor tests
A histamine intolerance is usually carried out by family doctors or by an allergologist. In this context, the doctor also decides whether the diagnosis is made by means of a prick test or a blood sample. For the blood test, the physician must cooperate with a laboratory that can adequately examine the samples for histamine-processing enzymes and the histamine content in the blood.
