Day 23

We headed to clinic and Dr A and Amanda discussed my latest blood results. I will try and explain!

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a type of protein in the body called an antibody. It plays a role in allergic reactions.

IgG represents a normal immunological response to food consumed in the diet and a reflection of foods one consumes – Dr A described these as protective antibodies.

Pre-OIT results: 3.81 – IGE Peanut / negative IGG

2 weeks after being on OIT: 3.8 – IGE Peanut / 4.1 IGG

3 weeks after being on OIT: 6.8 – IGE Peanut/ 3.8 IGG

On the 2 week blood test, they expect the IGE to double, triple and sometimes even quadruple!

When mine didn’t, Dr A explained that my body wasn’t registering the peanut as an allergen – it was able to tolerate the low dose of 70mg. That’s why he wanted to repeat the blood test in week 3 to see whether it would increase this time. This also meant that we could move faster after the week 2 labs.

For the week 3 blood test, I was taking much more peanut (1 gram) and sure enough, my IGE shot up to 6.84. He said this wasn’t a huge increase but indicated that it had taken a lot more peanut for it to register it as an allergen. My IGG has also increased which means that my body is starting to produce protective antibodies although he stated that this number isn’t very high and it can typically be a lot higher to show that the body needs more protection.

SO, IN CONCLUSION… I AM PRETTY CONFUSING!

Dr A is happy with my results and symptoms so far so we continued to push forwards today.

I dosed 1500mg (1.5 grams) – minor tingling.

He then added another 700mg dose after 40 minutes

Nurse Amanda then did a great job at chatting to us so that I’m distracted and not thinking of reactions that could happen!

After clinic, we went to a lovely pizza restaurant but I could only manage half – I am definitely getting ready for some British food!

Tomorrow, Dr A wants me to dose the same as I did in clinic today: 1500mg wait then 700mg.

Thursday will be my LAST DAY in clinic!!!!!!!