Analysis of the Allergist Appointment

1) Went to the allergist that we were referred to by our pediatrician yesterday. (our current pedi not so beloved, so automatic loss of points)

2) We received a phone call from her office 10 days prior to the appointment stating that we should take Zachary off all medications (antihistamines in particular) and vitamins and supplements. OK. Did that. Thanks for calling and giving us the heads up. (Point gain)

3) We arrive for our 8:15 appointment. Wait for around 15 minutes (how can they be running late already that early in the morning??? Point loss) Get in, do the nurse thing - height and weight and pulse. Wait a few more minutes. In comes the doctor. We get asked a lot of questions (that could have been asked beforehand in a form - more point loss), I realize if Zachary's records were sent over, she has not read them. Great. (More point loss)

4) While amidst in conversation (answering one of her many questions) she walks out of the room. A colleague of hers had opened the door (without knocking) to ask her a question, and rather than wait for my answer, she requested for me to hold on a second. She came back after a few minutes. She did apologize, but I was not impressed with the way it was handled. I am immediately feeling the doctor ego thing coming on. (Big point loss)

5) When I told her about the GFCF diet, she did not react negatively. In fact, she stated that she knew other families who also had good experiences with it. She went on to say something to the effect that just because there wasn't a test for it, didn't mean that it was a true condition. This is a good thing - a doctor willing to think and not just spew out the limited process learned in med school. (Big point gain)

6) When asked about the differences in IgG and IgE testing, she gave us her take - that IgG is not proven to indicate anything in terms of food allergies. She refused to go into any detail, assuming I wouldn't understand. I appreciated her professional take on it, however, her assuming I wouldn't get a technical description left me annoyed. Is everybody ready for their science lesson of the day? Skip to section 7 if not, otherwise, read on.

SIMPLE SCIENCE LESSON OF THE DAY FROM SIMPLETON LEANNE
Antibodies are things in the immune system that are part of the response to neutralize foreign objects. What sort of foreign objects? Germs for instance (bacteria and viruses). Antibodies are also referred to so immunoglobulins - shorthanded as "Ig". There are different types of Ig's (referred to as isotypes). These isotypes are annotated as IgA, IgD, IgE,IgG and IgM. Allergists primarily work off of testing for IgE levels for allergy type responses. Higher IgE levels when exposed to substance indicate a response known as an allergy. An allergic reaction is immediate and displays itself in differing forms such as eczema, hives, asthma, etc. Testing for IgG responses is considered testing for a less immediate hypersensitivity - undesirable reactions of the body that can create discomfort at least and fatality at worst, but usually not as immediate as and IgE. (Note that it is not necessarily less severe, just not as fast acting.) IgG provides the majority of antibody-based immunity against invading pathogens. Thus the crux of the issue. There is controversy over the testing becuase the body commonly produces IgG antibodies in response to things like food all the time, and coming up with the appropriate testing thresholds has not been verified.

I still have way more to learn about this stuff, but I could have taken her description. She lacked the patience to go over it with me. This loses points in my book. Guess educating the patient's guardian isn't part of the bill. (point loss)

7) They ran absolutely no tests on Zach whatsoever. There was no real reason for him to be there, expect she likely needed him to be there in order to qualify her billing my insurance for $236 for a full appointment. So all that crap about no vitamins/supplements, etc? Just part of some unthinking protocol. I hate non-thinkers. (Point loss)

8) Testing is not conducted at the office. This definitely loses points. We left the office without a follow up appointment becuase the doctor is so booked. More points lost. We were told to go to University to have the blood work done, but they did not schedule the appointment for us. Terrific customer service. (More points lost.)

9) The office staff was very attentive, and smiled and commented on how cute Zach was. Some points gained. The secretary called me later in the day to schedule an appointment for 3 weeks away. (Gained a few points back here.)

Overall, a relatively neutral to negative appointment. Will not give a verdict until we have gone through appointment #2.