High IgE - 6,600, Atopic Dermatitis - Is it celiac?

[NancyB612]

My 16 year old son's recent test showed IGE level of 6,600.  Our allergist wants to put him on Xolair.  His symptoms are severe atopic dermatistis for the past three years.  He used to have moderate asthma but has been in remission for three years. He tests postive for most airborn allergens and reacts to skin tests for many  foods except milk.  He is otherwise healthy and thriving, he runs track in high school.  Except he has acne. No hyper- IGE symptoms. No classic celiac symptoms. He takes singulair 10mg, carinex 5mg, Nicomide, and Hydroxyzine 10-30mg at night.  I stopped doing the cortisone shots last year when he had flare ups now we just deal with it with creams.  He is on sublingual airborn allergy drops. I think the Xolair would be an expensive bandaid and he may have a food that is the root cause. Since he reacted to most foods in the skin tests it will be a long process of elimination.  Our allergist also suggested we take him to The Jewish hospital in Colorado to get to the bottom of this.  He did have geographic tongue when two. He is of Korean heritage.  It is a constant, painful, itchy companion for him with awful flare-ups.  Could this be some kind of celiac or another term I have just learned is "Leaky Gut Syndrome.  Any help would be appreciated!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There is not a lot of data supporting evidence of Leaky Gut Syndrome.  Typically such diseases are considered if the other tests are negative.

Celiac disease however, can be considered.  This is normally done via blood tests to evaluate for the endomysial antibody.  If celiac disease is suspected, this can be followed up with an endoscopy or small bowel series.

These options can be discussed with a GI physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com