The Histamine test measures levels of histamine, your body's chemical alarm system that springs into action when it detects potential threats like allergens or stress. Think of histamine as an overzealous security guard – when it spots something suspicious, it immediately triggers a cascade of protective responses including inflammation, increased mucus production, and blood vessel dilation. While this response is meant to protect you, sometimes this internal alarm system gets triggered too easily or too often, leading to symptoms like chronic headaches, skin reactions, digestive issues, or that stuffy, runny nose feeling even when you're not sick.
This test is particularly helpful if you're experiencing mysterious symptoms that seem to come and go without clear cause, especially after eating certain foods or in specific situations. Elevated histamine levels might indicate conditions like histamine intolerance (where your body can't break down histamine efficiently), mast cell disorders (where your histamine-producing cells are overactive), or help explain chronic hives and unexplained allergic reactions. Understanding your histamine levels can guide you and your healthcare provider toward targeted treatments, dietary adjustments, or lifestyle changes that help calm your body's overeager alarm system and reduce those frustrating, unpredictable symptoms.
Essential for individuals with unexplained allergic reactions, suspected histamine intolerance, mast cell disorders, or anyone needing histamine metabolism assessment.
