Which histamine test is right for you?

Contact the ImuPro team on 1300 481 151 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm AEDT) and we can explain the differences between the tests and which may suit what you are trying to investigate.

Could histamine be contributing to your symptoms?

Histamine is a natural substance that plays an important role in the body. It is involved in the immune system, nervous system, digestion and regulation of blood vessels.

For most people, histamine is processed effectively. If your body is unable to process histamine efficiently, you may experience symptoms such as headaches, flushing, itching, skin reactions, nasal congestion, digestive symptoms, dizziness or palpitations.

Because histamine-related symptoms can overlap with food sensitivities and other conditions, testing can help provide a clearer picture of what may be contributing.

DAO or Histamine Capacity Test: which one should I choose?

Choose the DAO Histamine Intolerance Test if you specifically want to investigate DAO enzyme activity. It may suit you if you:

• Notice symptoms after eating high-histamine foods such as aged cheese, cured meats, fermented foods, chocolate or alcohol
• Experience headaches or migraines
• Have flushing, itching or skin reactions
• Experience nasal or sinus symptoms
• Have digestive symptoms after certain foods

Choose the Histamine Capacity Test – THDC if you want to assess your overall histamine-processing capacity. It may suit you if you:

• Have ongoing symptoms you associate with histamine
• Want a broader assessment than DAO alone
• Have previously had a normal DAO result but still experience histamine-related symptoms

If you choose the THDC test, you do not need to also have the DAO test. THDC provides a broader assessment of histamine-degrading capacity rather than looking at DAO alone.

Why can DAO be normal but histamine capacity be reduced?

DAO is an important enzyme involved in processing histamine, but it is not the only factor. DAO activity can be within the normal range while Total Histamine Degrading Capacity (THDC) is reduced.

A reduced THDC result may indicate that other factors are affecting your overall ability to process histamine. These can include insufficient nutritional cofactors (such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, zinc and copper), competition from other biogenic amines such as tyramine, or the influence of certain medicines.

This is one reason the Histamine Capacity Test provides a broader assessment than measuring DAO alone.

Histamine symptoms can overlap with food sensitivities

Histamine-related symptoms can sometimes look very similar to symptoms associated with food sensitivities. Because both can contribute to the same symptoms, histamine testing is often done in combination with ImuPro IgG food sensitivity testing. The two types of testing look at different things:

• Histamine testing looks at your ability to process histamine.
• ImuPro IgG food sensitivity testing measures IgG antibodies to specific foods and investigates delayed immune reactions.

Histamine testing and IgG testing can be done using the same blood sample, avoiding another blood collection. If you have already had ImuPro IgG testing, contact us within 4 weeks of receiving your results to ask about adding a histamine test to your existing sample.

How histamine testing works

1. Choose your test Order online.
   Your kit includes collection instructions, pathology paperwork and the transport materials for your serum sample. You may also arrange testing through your health practitioner.
2. Have your blood collected Take your paperwork to a pathology collection centre.
   The provider draws your blood and prepares the serum so it is stable for transport. A separate collection fee may apply.
3. Return your prepared sample Send the serum sample to ImuPro using the supplied transport materials.
   Samples are shipped to our specialised laboratory in Germany every week.
4. Receive your results Your results are emailed to you, or to your referring practitioner if applicable.
   THDC results take approximately 2 weeks from the weekly shipment to Germany.

Before your test: 
Avoid histamine rich food such as Cheese, chocolate, alcohol, cured meats, fermented foods and DAO supplements for 48 hrs before the blood draw. You will not need to avoid antihistamines.