How Can I Get Tested for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

At the Advanced Clinics of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, we are familiar with the frustrations of having Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. If you suspect you may be experiencing this syndrome, the first step is to be tested.

What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, or MCAS, happens when certain cells in your body are working too hard. These cells, called mast cells, are an acting agent in your immune system. When activated, they release too much of the substance your body uses to fight off invading bacteria.

When someone is dealing with MCAS, their cells release this substance too heavily and at incorrect times, causing uncomfortable reactions within the body. This often presents with symptoms that are similar to an allergic reaction, although often there is no reason for the body to be behaving in such a way.

Symptoms of MCAS

The first signs of MCAS are often mild and grow more severe over time. Identifying what symptoms may be MCAS-related is key in determining whether you are a good candidate for MCAS testing. Because MCAS is often your body misinterpreting normal function as an allergic reaction, symptoms of an allergic reaction are common.

Sweating

Sweating is not usually a symptom that one would associate with an allergic reaction, but it isn't unheard of. When we are struggling with allergies, we get an infusion of adrenaline into our bloodstream. Adrenaline is sometimes known to increase production in the sweat glands or even cause these glands to become inflamed. When this happens, perspiration will naturally increase.

Usually, people who experience sweating as a side effect of an allergic reaction or MCAS will first notice sweating on the face or neck and occasionally the back. While sweating anywhere can be a sign, take special note if you are sweating in the aforementioned areas.

Skin Flushing

Our skin becomes flushed during allergic or MCAS flare-ups because of the dilation of blood vessels. When these blood vessels dilate, they may take on a pinkish or even red colouring. Because of this, we often associate allergies with imagery of blushing or flushed complexion.

Usually, we think of skin flushing as a symptom that affects the face or neck, but it can manifest anywhere. Often, the first sign of allergic reaction is red, blotchy patches found on the arms, legs, or trunk of the body. While the natural first assumption will be that it is a skin reaction to a skin irritant, this may not always be the case.

Runny Nose

A runny, drippy nose has long been a sign of allergic reaction. Commonly associated with hay fever or an allergy to cats, flowers, or dust, it could be completely unrelated to any environmental factor. People with MCAS may experience a runny nose for seemingly no reason at all.

If you find that your nose is dripping frequently or that you are going through a lot more tissues than you used to, it might be time to talk to your doctor about MCAS testing to ensure there is not something else working behind the scenes.

Swelling of the Tongue or Lips

When your body is trying to help fight off something you are allergic to, or when it is experiencing a flare-up of MCAS, it will flood your bloodstream with histamines and other chemicals. This can cause swelling, particularly in places where the bloodstream is close to the surface. Most commonly, this will affect the tongue or lips.

You might also experience similar symptoms in the blood vessels in the eyes, ears, or the roof of your mouth.

Low Blood Pressure

Another neat way your body goes into action to fight off allergens and other threats is by slowing the bloodstream. It does this by causing your blood vessels to swell, constricting blood flow. In doing this, it is trying to stop a bacteria or other irritant from spreading too far in the body before it can be properly fought off.

If you are frequently suffering from low blood pressure, you may actually be struggling with MCAS. Take an inventory of any other symptoms you are experiencing and speak to your doctor about the group of symptoms, which may be having an effect on one another.

Nausea

Your body may also opt to fight off allergens or bacteria by causing your body to reject them rapidly. Nausea is typically a precursor to vomiting or diarrhea, both of which would expel a toxin quickly, granting your body relief.

While unpleasant to think about, this is a protective response from your body. Unfortunately, for those dealing with MCAS, there is nothing to expel, so prolonged feelings of nausea do nothing beneficial but can make life miserable. If you find that chronic nausea is affecting your ability to live a normal existence, then you may want to talk to your doctor about MCAS as a possible cause.

Headaches

When the sinuses swell or other blockages occur, headaches are natural. Pressure in the sinuses is actually a leading cause of headaches, so allergies and MCAS are both possible underlying factors in chronic issues with such pain.

Whether dull or debilitating, the pain experienced from allergy or MCAS-induced headaches can vary. You should not be afraid to talk to your doctor about headaches as a symptom, even if the headaches are mild enough to manage without help. As a symptom, they could be a clue to something bigger going on.

Dizziness or Confusion

MCAS and allergies can cause swelling within the ears, which will constrict the eustachian tubes. The primary function of these tubes is to regulate pressure within the ear. When this pressure is imbalanced, it can lead to dizziness.

Another side effect of swelling within the ears and head is a feeling of “fuzziness” or confusion. If either dizziness or confusion are common issues in your life, you might be in fear of a bigger culprit. In fact, these symptoms are often associated with MCAS, which is highly treatable and nothing to be afraid of.

Fatigue

Fatigue is caused by a number of factors when it comes to allergies and MCAS, the first being that your body struggles to relax when you are suffering from so many symptoms at once. If your ability to sleep and feel relaxed is affected, you will struggle with fatigue throughout the day.

Also, some of the chemicals released within the body in order to combat allergens can cause sleepiness as a side effect. With both of these factors in play, feelings of exhaustion are almost guaranteed.

Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock is what happens when your body responds too strongly to an allergen. Your immune system will release a number of chemicals that will flood into your bloodstream, causing your blood pressure to drop suddenly and your airways and blood vessels to narrow.

During anaphylactic shock, a person can struggle to breathe and even lose sensation in their limbs. This is a serious reaction and immediate medical attention will be needed to overcome it. While rare, this type of severe reaction can sometimes be a sign of MCAS at play. If you experience anaphylactic shock without a known cause, then you should speak to your doctor about MCAS.

Not all who have MCAS will experience all of these symptoms. If you are struggling with even one or two of them on a regular basis, MCAS testing may be a good next step in figuring out a solution.

Testing for MCAS

Testing for MCAS is done by measuring tryptase levels in your bloodstream. In doing so, your doctor can determine if your immune system is functioning as it should. To get tested, you will need to talk to a doctor knowledgeable in MCAS. From there, the first step is to check your blood levels for elevations in tryptase.

What Is Tryptase?

Tryptase is the protein that is manufactured in your body's mast cells. Tryptase makes up roughly a quarter of all the protein in the mast cell, itself, as well.

We are not completely certain of all of the functions of tryptase, but we do know that it is a driving force in manifesting inflammation and allergic reactions. It also plays a part in other symptoms of allergies, such as the regulation of openness for airways or bloodstreams, blood clotting, intestinal activity, and skin reactions.

When too much tryptase is created and released into the bloodstream, reactions similar to allergic reactions will occur.

What Are Normal Tryptase Levels?

A normal tryptase level will fluctuate some throughout the day because tryptase is always working to fight off irritants. If tryptase is constantly elevated or is elevating greatly, however, you may be struggling with MCAS.

A markedly large increase would be anything greater than 20 nanograms per millilitre or roughly double the upper limit of normal. A mild increase would be anything persistent that is between 10 and 20 nanograms over a period of time.

Because tryptase can fluctuate, your doctor may want to do multiple tests over a period of time to work out an average before determining whether or not your tryptase levels are truly elevated.

Other Testing Possibilities

If your doctor is unable to make a determination using blood tests alone, a closer look may be required. This could include tests ranging from skin scrapes to bone marrow testing. While you may feel frustrated with the process, remember that every test you take gets you closer to an answer.

Even if, at the end of the process, the answer is not that you are dealing with MCAS, the same test results can be used to narrow in on another cause for your symptoms. Time is never wasted when you are in search of a viable diagnosis because diagnosis leads to a possibility for treatment.

Testing for MCAS is very simple but can result in great things if you are able to achieve a definitive diagnosis. The next step is choosing a direction with which to take this new information and make improvements in your life.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Treatments

MCAS has no cure. Instead, managing symptoms is the best way to take back control. With proper diagnosis and treatments, there can be relief. Dealing with MCAS means learning what is triggering reactive episodes. By doing so, you can learn to avoid these triggers in your day-to-day life, reducing the discomfort you feel during flare-ups.

The sooner a person seeks a diagnosis for this syndrome, the sooner a treatment plan can come into place. While some might consider MCAS testing futile because there is no cure, it is important to remember that real relief is possible, even if MCAS cannot be completely cured.

Schedule Your Appointment Now

Contact the Advanced Clinics of Oklahoma City https://advancedclinicsok.com/, Oklahoma if you suspect you may be experiencing Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Our knowledgeable experts and staff look forward to helping navigate the next steps of the investigative process in determining a treatment plan that will work well for you.