Q: what is typical cost for an initial visit to an allergist including a nasoscopy? just got my bill for $900 for <10 min w/ allergist + nasocopy.

Can dispute charge: Relative to the nasoscopy procedure, see: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1890999-overview?pa=V2svWw8WeN5JmtJAXEPLKY3NxQuSqCvW6dcp5uyX%2BnS3KE3BzHZumPFyFZedXELZ8SIvl8zjYv73GUyW5rsbWA%3D%3D

Q: what do allergists do to determine what a patient is allergic to?

Allergy tests: Allergy tests can generally be performed two ways: skin testing and blood testing. Skin testing is done either via the "scratch" or "prick" testing method or via a small injections in skin (called an intradermal test). Blood allergy testing (called rast) testing can also be done. Both methods look for specific allergic antibody (called ige).

Q: could an allergist be able to order a celiac blood test?

Yes...: Any doctor can order celiac blood work. Gastroenterologist is the most common type of doctor ordering these tests, but internists, family medicine doctors, allergists, rheumatologists, and dermatologists see many patients with complaints that need to be evaluated for celiac disease. Usual testing panels for celiac's include total serum IgA level, ttg antibody levels (both IgA and igm).

Q: at my first visit with an allergist, will he give me a physical exam and will i have to undress and put on a gown?

Maybe: Hopefully, he or she will examine you (the patient) because that's what doctors do. We examine patients. Allergists are specialists and sometimes are looking only at a part of and not the entire body. That said, it is better to undress if any part of the exam might be blocked by clothing. Don't make the exam hard to do. (Don't take your car to a mechanic and not give him the keys.)

Q: are virologists a type of doctor, or are they only scientists? and what are some fields related to immunology and virology?

Scientist: There is no recognized board of virology but it can best be fitted into the sub-specialty of Infectious Disease (under Internal Medicine). As for immunology, the specialty board I know of is the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. However most specialists would practice primarily clinical allergy or immunology with some cross-over. Most immunologists are more geared towards research.

Q: never had a hive until 18 mo ago. allergist couldnt explain what caused it. said it would "go away". didnt change a thing but it just cleared. why?

Well: We don't know the cause in most cases of chronic hives although about 1/3 of them is considered of autoimmune nature. Hives can usually be controlled, however, with high doses of antihistamine and an anti-IgE product has been highly effective in most cases. It may go away in a few years, but this is not a certainty.

Q: live in florida that is hot (real feel temp: 95-100) & humid throughout the year except 1 month. i have constant nasal drip due to 24 a/c. allergist?

Rhinitis: I don't know much about the pollens in Florida but if you are allergic its most likely due to dust mites. Keeping it dry indoors (AC does help) is a good thing. However the most likely cause for your symptoms is Non Allergic Rhinitis that could actually be triggered by the AC. You can sort this out with testing. Dr. Hegab is an excellent allergist in your state.

Q: is ltt mitogen test a more complex test than other blood work? i had immunology work up, got all tests back except for that one, been almost 2 weeks!

Yes it is: LTT mitogen test is a complex specialized test for lymphocytes proliferation. Not a routine every day test, has to be performed in a special lab, so turn-around-time for results is longer, wish you all the best

Question 1

do all allergists do  desensitisation treatment for allergy and immunology problems?

Accepted Answer

They should!: Board certified allergists are trained to do desensitization treatments for a number of problems.  The most common is for severe allergy problems to environmental allergens (pollen, animal danders, insect stings).  However, many allergists can assist other doctors with medication desensitization (like antibiotics) as well.

Question 2

if my allergy symptoms are easily managed with a daily otc allergy pill, should i still see an allergist? i've never been to one.

Accepted Answer

Probably not: but I have found many patients having significant nasal obstruction despite absence of subjective symptoms. The problem is that they have known nothing else . Since nasal obstruction is associated with many complications (dental malocclusion, sinusitis etc), you should ask your doctor to check your nose when when are feeling "well". If the nasal swelling is still significant, see allergist.

Question 3

what is typical cost for an initial visit to an allergist including a nasoscopy? just got my bill for $900 for <10 min w/ allergist + nasocopy.

Accepted Answer

Can dispute charge: Relative to the nasoscopy procedure, see: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1890999-overview?pa=V2svWw8WeN5JmtJAXEPLKY3NxQuSqCvW6dcp5uyX%2BnS3KE3BzHZumPFyFZedXELZ8SIvl8zjYv73GUyW5rsbWA%3D%3D

Question 4

what do allergists do to determine what a patient is allergic to?

Accepted Answer

Allergy tests: Allergy tests can generally be performed two ways:  skin testing and blood testing.  Skin testing is done either via the "scratch" or "prick" testing method or via a small injections in skin (called an intradermal test).  Blood allergy testing (called rast) testing can also be done.  Both methods look for specific allergic antibody (called ige).

Question 5

could an allergist be able to order a celiac blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes...: Any doctor can order celiac blood work.  Gastroenterologist is the most common type of doctor ordering these tests, but internists, family medicine doctors, allergists, rheumatologists, and dermatologists see many patients with complaints that need to be evaluated for celiac disease.  Usual testing panels for celiac's include total serum IgA level, ttg antibody levels (both IgA and igm).

Question 6

at my first visit with an allergist, will he give me a physical exam and will i have to undress and put on a gown?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Hopefully, he or she will examine you (the patient) because that's what doctors do. We examine patients. Allergists are specialists and sometimes are looking only at a part of and not the entire body. That said, it is better to undress if any part of the exam might be blocked by clothing. Don't make the exam hard to do. (Don't take your car to a mechanic and not give him the keys.)

Question 7

are virologists a type of doctor, or are they only scientists? and what are some fields related to immunology and virology?

Accepted Answer

Scientist: There is no recognized board of virology but it can best be fitted into the sub-specialty of Infectious Disease (under Internal Medicine).  As for immunology, the specialty board I know of is the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.  However most specialists would practice primarily clinical allergy or immunology with some cross-over. Most immunologists are more geared towards research.

Question 8

never had a hive until 18 mo ago. allergist couldnt explain what caused it. said it would "go away". didnt change a thing but it just cleared. why?

Accepted Answer

Well: We don't know the cause in most cases of chronic hives although about 1/3 of them is considered of autoimmune nature. Hives can usually be controlled, however, with high doses of antihistamine and an anti-IgE product has been highly effective in most cases.  It may go away in a few years, but this is not a certainty.

Question 9

live in florida that is hot (real feel temp: 95-100) & humid throughout the year except 1 month. i have constant nasal drip due to 24 a/c. allergist?

Accepted Answer

Rhinitis: I don't know much about the pollens in Florida but if you are allergic its most likely due to dust mites.  Keeping it dry indoors (AC does help) is a good thing. However the most likely cause for your symptoms is Non Allergic Rhinitis that could actually be triggered by the AC.   You can sort this out with testing. Dr. Hegab is an excellent allergist in your state.

Question 10

is ltt mitogen test a more complex test than other blood work? i had immunology work up, got all tests back except for that one, been almost 2 weeks!

Accepted Answer

Yes it is: LTT mitogen test is a complex specialized test for lymphocytes proliferation. Not a routine every day test, has to be performed in a special lab, so turn-around-time for results is longer, wish you all the best

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Doctor answers about:

Allergist and immunology

A member asked:

Do all allergists do desensitisation treatment for allergy and immunology problems?

A member asked:

If my allergy symptoms are easily managed with a daily otc allergy pill, should i still see an allergist? i've never been to one.

A member asked:

What is typical cost for an initial visit to an allergist including a nasoscopy? just got my bill for $900 for <10 min w/ allergist + nasocopy.

A member asked:

What do allergists do to determine what a patient is allergic to?

A member asked:

Could an allergist be able to order a celiac blood test?

A member asked:

At my first visit with an allergist, will he give me a physical exam and will i have to undress and put on a gown?

A member asked:

Are virologists a type of doctor, or are they only scientists? and what are some fields related to immunology and virology?

A member asked:

Never had a hive until 18 mo ago. allergist couldnt explain what caused it. said it would "go away". didnt change a thing but it just cleared. why?

A member asked:

Live in florida that is hot (real feel temp: 95-100) & humid throughout the year except 1 month. i have constant nasal drip due to 24 a/c. allergist?

A member asked:

Is ltt mitogen test a more complex test than other blood work? i had immunology work up, got all tests back except for that one, been almost 2 weeks!

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