Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Treatment Right Here In Utah

Proper Diagnostics. Effective Treatment.

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?


What happens in MCAS is that the mast cell, which is part of our immune system’s “front line of defense” in defending us against an “intruder” such as a viral infection or mold toxins, releases its content of inflammatory mediators which is intended to stimulate the rest of the immune system to “kick into gear” and fight or attack the “intruder. The problem is, the Mast Cells in this disease release their contents too readily, making the patient extra sick with signs of inflammation, swelling, pain, and other symptoms that happen with inflammation.

Common Symptoms of MCAS and Organs Most Often Affected


The organ systems most often involved in mast cell disorders are the skin, the mucosae of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and upper and lower respiratory tracts, the cardiovascular system, and the musculoskeletal system. The signs and symptoms arise from the ways mast cell mediators affect these organ systems. 

With recent viral infections, often the lungs are involved and the patient may present with cough, chest congestion, shortness of breath, chest pain, and low oxygen, or any combination of these symptoms.

As Dr. Lawrence Afrin, M.D., (the doctor who discovered MCAS) points out, almost any other organ or part of the body can be affected. 


Diagnostics, Treatment of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

 

Dr. Carlson and the team at Restore Health Today are very experienced in diagnosing and treating patients suffering from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. While much of the diagnosis can come from a thorough intake and patient workup, as the many symptoms throughout the body can be quite misleading if you don’t know what to look for, confirmation tests can be run. 

Lab Tests Performed to Diagnose MCAS:

One confirmation test is a Tryptase Level, but the test has to be very carefully done, and sometimes is falsely negative (is not accurate), so that it is reasonable to empirically treat with pharmaceutical or nutraceutical meds effective in decreasing the effect of the inflammatory mediators that come from the Mast Cells. The ones we know the most about are histamines and leukotrienes, although there are some 200 different inflammatory mediators that are released from mast cells.

Other common and effective lab tests to help diagnose patient with MCAS are the following: Plasma Histamine, N-methylhistamine 24 hour urine test, Serum Chromogranin A, Leukotrienes, Plasma Heparin, Prostaglandins PGD2 Urine Test.

The patient must be experiencing symptoms of MCAS in order for results from lab tests to be accurate.

Common Treatments For MCAS:

In prescribing treatment, we look for reasons that the mast cells are destabilized to help narrow our focus on the actual triggers of MCAS with each patient. These can include any of the following three things:

Toxin Overload

Nutrient Deficiency

Hidden Infections

If the trigger is an infection, then we at Restore Health Today we treat with a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical antibiotic, antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, or antifungal medication or modality.

If the patient has (and they usually do) inflammation, then at Restore Health Today we use pharmaceutical or nutraceutical anti-inflammatories, optimized Vitamin D, any IVs which can decrease inflammation, Omega 3s, as well as any other modality that helps unload toxins.

If it is found that the patient has symptoms of easy clotting (hypercoaguability) they will need either pharmaceutical or nutraceutical blood thinners.

*** It is important to understand that there is no main approach that works for every single patient. It requires patience and extensive communication and collaboration on both the physician’s and the patient’s part. Oftentimes patients and physicians alike want to hit the symptoms with a multi-med/multi-supplement/multi-modality approach. It is important to add one treatment modality at a time.

Dr. Carlson will typically empirically start with Histamine One Receptor Blockers like Benadyl and Zyrtec if the patient does not have a history of heart rythym problems (more specifically, prolonged QT syndrome). At the same time, he starts the patient on Pepcid twice a day. Pepcid is known to the general public as a medicine to treat ulcers, and which decreases acid production in the stomach. But pepcid, as a Histamine 2 Receptor Blocker, is also helpful for blocking H2 receptors found in other parts of the body.

At the same time, he will start the patient on Quercetin, a nutraceutical which is an H1 and H2 blocker as well as a mast cell membrane stabilizer.

Cromolyn Sodium (what we have used for many years in a metered dose inhaler ((“Intal”)) for exercise-and cold-induced asthma) is also a mast cell membrane stabilizer, and is covered by most insurances, which is a good thing, because in the oral form, it is very expensive.

A fourth category of medication (or supplement) for MCAS is an enzyme which breaks down histamines, which is called diamine oxidase. A common brand of this is “Hist-DAO”. It is also useful to be on a low histamine diet, which you can easily google to learn more about.

Dr. Carlson is a Certified Functional Medicine Medical Doctor with Specific Training with MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome)

Nonexclusive List of Dr. Carlson’s Trainings, Certifications, Experience:

Oxygenation Therapies, with Dr. Robert Rowen; Bioidentical Hormones, with Worldlink, A4M; Autism all courses necessary for certification, MAPS; Chelation, IV Nutrition, ACAM Certified; Amino Acid Therapy with Julia Ross; Experience and Education in treating Mold, Lyme; IV NAD with BR+MD Consultants; Oxygenation/UVO3 Training, SOPMED, Dementia, Bredeson’s Protocol; FSM training by Dr. Carolyn McMakin, Erchonia Cold Laser Course; 

Dr. Carlson’s experience and training in Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, and urgent care have also shaped his ability to listen to the patient, give proper diagnosis and offer effective treatment.

 

Answers for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Get Personalized Care and Begin Living Life Again After MCAS Treatment

Whether you live in South Jordan, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, or even another State, our clinic is happy to guide you as you work to overcome MCAS. We treat locals and even folks from out of State.
Contact
1-801-228-1906

6467 W. Sugarcane Dr. South Jordan, Utah