Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a condition in which the mast cells in your body release too much of a substance that causes allergy symptoms.
The release of too many mediators can impact almost every part of your body.
The primary affected areas typically include your skin, nervous system, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. The number of mediators released can cause symptoms that are mild to life-threatening.
Symptoms may include:
- skin: itching, flushing, hives, sweating, swelling, rash
- eyes: irritation, itching, watering
- nose: itching, running
- mouth and throat: itching, swelling in your tongue or lips, swelling in your throat
- lungs: trouble breathing, wheezing
- heart and blood vessels: low blood pressure, rapid heart rate
- stomach and intestines: cramping, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- nervous system: headache, confusion, fatigue (1)
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) & Lifecode Gx reports
The exact cause of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is unknown. It is sometimes called an idiopathic condition because it's not caused by any other disease or related to a clear allergy or cause.
People who have this syndrome might have a hard time pinpointing the exact thing that triggers allergic reactions. Your doctor might test for tryptase, histamine, and prostaglandin levels, but there are no definitive tests.
As histamine intolerance is a subset of MCAS, genetic testing of histamine intolerance could be helpful to pinpoint some MCAS symptoms, showing where genetic disruptions occur and how to support optimal function.
Sources
(1) https://www.healthline.com/health/mast-cell-activation-syndrome