Your Mast Cell Disorder Questions, Answered

Welcome to the latest episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. We answer the most common questions that patients ask about mast cell disorders.

Mast cell disorders can feel confusing, especially with so much information floating around online and on social media. Let’s get to the truth.

Co-hosts Payel Gupta, MD, an allergist and immunologist, and Kortney, who lives with allergic conditions, are joined by allergist Dareen Siri, MD, to answer real questions from the community. We cover what a mast cell actually is, which tests can tell you what’s going on in your body, what treatment looks like, and whether foods like a low-histamine diet can help.

Check out the podcast on ItchPodcast.com or download it for listening anytime, anywhere on your preferred podcast player!

Listen to Mast Cell Disease FAQ Podcast

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Thank you to Blueprint Medicines for sponsoring this podcast episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Any mention of brands is also informational and not an endorsement. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical questions or concerns.

Key Takeaways About Mast Cell Disorders

A mast cell is a cell in your immune system. When mast cells act up too much, or there are too many of them, it can cause a mix of confusing symptoms.

  • What a mast cell does. Mast cells are found in your skin, gut, and airways and release chemicals like histamine when they sense a threat. When this happens too easily, it can cause symptoms.
  • The different types of mast cell diseases. Mast cell disorder is a big term that covers things like allergies, autoimmune disorders, along with mast cell clonal disorders like indolent systemic mastocytosis.
  • Which tests actually help determine if you have too many mast cells? What do blood tests find out, when is a urine test appropriate, and do you need a bone marrow biopsy?
  • What treatment looks like today. Now doctors can do more than just manage individual symptoms with a medicine (avapritinib) that lowers the number of mast cells in your body.
  • Can diet or supplements help? There is not strong proof that cutting out histamine foods fixes symptoms, but eating fresh food with fewer additives is a good idea for everyone.

Timestamps From our Podcast on Mast Cell Disorder FAQs

01:50 – What is a mast cell?

05:00 – What is an overactive mast cell?

07:50 – Is my autoimmune disorder mast cell related?

09:45 – What does having too many mast cells mean?

11:36 – Testing for systemic mastocytosis

14:39 – When to get a bone marrow biopsy?

16:00 – Do I need a urine test?

18:10 – How do I get rid of extra mast cells?

21:26 – Does this shorten my life?

21:46 – Does a low histamine diet help?

22:33 – Do supplements help mast cells?

24:09 – Bone health and ISM

24:40 – Dr. Siri’s final thoughts

More Resources About Mast Cell Disorders