Histamine testing

Product detailed description

What is histamine?

Histamine is a naturally occurring substance that performs a number of important functions in the body. It plays a role in immune responses, regulation of gastric acid secretion, and communication between cells.

Histamine is produced by the body's own cells, and in the intestine it can also be produced by certain gut bacteria. When histamine levels exceed the body's ability to break it down, various health problems may occur.

What does the histamine test measure?

Histamine testing is available in two forms:

• Blood (plasma) histamine measures the concentration of histamine circulating in the bloodstream and provides information about its overall level in the body.
• Stool histamine measures the concentration of histamine directly in the intestinal environment, where it may also be produced by certain gut bacteria.

Unlike DAO (diamine oxidase) testing, which evaluates the body's ability to break down histamine, both versions of this test measure the actual concentration of histamine.

Who is this test recommended for?

This test is particularly suitable for individuals experiencing:

• persistent bloating,
• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation,
• symptoms after consuming fermented or aged foods,
• suspected histamine intolerance,
• chronic digestive problems without a clear cause,
• suspected gut microbiota imbalance.

What symptoms can elevated histamine cause?

Increased histamine levels may be associated with:

• bloating,
• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea,
• a feeling of fullness,
• nausea,
• increased sensitivity to certain foods.

Some individuals may also experience symptoms outside the digestive tract, such as headaches, migraines, itchy skin, flushing, or hives. However, these symptoms may also have other causes and should always be interpreted together with other laboratory findings.

How should the results be interpreted?

Histamine test results should always be interpreted together with clinical symptoms and other laboratory findings.

If a disorder of histamine metabolism is suspected, additional testing may be recommended, including:

• blood DAO (diamine oxidase) measurement,
• gut microbiome analysis,
• intestinal permeability testing (zonulin),
• other laboratory tests aimed at identifying the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Why choose histamine testing?

• Available as either a blood (plasma) or stool test.
• Measures the actual concentration of histamine.
• May help clarify symptoms related to histamine metabolism.
• Complements DAO enzyme testing.
• The stool test can be collected conveniently at home, while the blood test is performed at one of our collection centers.