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Susanne

Susanne is an active 52-year-old woman who loves spending time with her family and being outdoors. Recently, she awoke at 1 a.m. covered in hives and having difficulty breathing. She was admitted to the emergency department and treated for anaphylaxis. Susanne had never been diagnosed with allergies and was confused by what happened to her. She hadn’t eaten anything out of the ordinary for dinner that night—a salad, some beef, and a glass of wine. What was it that caused her reaction?

During a follow-up appointment, her healthcare professional asked her if she had ever been bit by a tick. She said yes, twice, but neither of them recently. Susanne’s healthcare professional suspected that she may have a red meat allergy, also called an alpha-Gal mediated meat allergy, and ordered a whole allergen blood test.

Susanne’s Results    

The results of an ImmunoCAPTM Whole Allergen test, combined with her medical history, suggest that Susanne has an allergy to beef, pork and lamb. For more detailed information, her healthcare professional orders an ImmunoCAPTM Allergen Components test, which revealed that Susanne has an alpha-Gal red meat allergy. She is; therefore, at risk for a systemic reaction and should avoid any form of red meat. However; she can continue to eat fish, chicken, turkey and duck. Her healthcare professional informed her that exercise, alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin can worsen her alpha-Gal reactions and that she should avoid further tick bites if possible.

Am I Allergic?

Why it’s important to know 

Sometimes allergy symptoms seem to come out of nowhere. Understanding what’s causing your symptoms can help you get relief now, and avoid more serious issues in the future. Be sure to consult with her healthcare professional.

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The people, places and events depicted in these photographs do not represent actual patients, nor are they affiliated in any way with the attached case study or Thermo Fisher Scientific.