1) Cholinergic Reactions
These reactions are related to acetycholine interactions and can be caused by other conditions, such as mastocytosis, a neoplastic disorder where the body makes too many mast cells. In mastocytsosis, an allergen causes a cascade called a mast cell degranulation. Some people with systemic mastocytosis are sensitive to sulfites. Not all of those with mastocytosis will react to sulfites, but there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence to show that some do. This can be diagnosed with a tryptase blood test.
2) IgE reaction
This is a true allergy situation. The problem is that sulfites are not proteins, so scientists have proposed that the sulfites bind with human proteins to form an antigen. This is the category that doctors put most people with asthma-associated sulfite sensitivity. This can be diagnosed with a skin prick test.
3) Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency
Sulfite oxidase is the enzyme that converts sulfite into sulfate. Without this enzyme, the sulfite either remains in the body causing various disturbances, binds with cobalamin, or is excreted by the kidneys. This is diagnosed by process of elimination of the other two options. It can also be diagnosed by the presence of sulfites in the urine. If adequate sulfite oxidase is present in the body, there will be no detectable sulfites in the urine.
More Information:
Wikipedia: Mastocytosis
Mastocytosis Society
Thank you for this website! As I mentioned in my question on another page I appear to be deficient in Sulfite Oxidase.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look for Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency, I find testing and information for the inherited defect that sounds as though (until very recently) killed infants before they grew up. Same with the Moly Cofactor problem. The links I see on this site are also for pediatric information if I understand right. What about for us grown-ups who clearly didn't die of it? Like you and me? I have to think I wasn't deficient as a child, so have somehow become deficient. Is there an acquired version? or one that shows up late in life? The problem I have with sulfites didn't show up until I was 38 except that dried fruit made my throat itch as a kid.
Thank you!