Histamine is a tissue hormone that is released during allergic reactions. With this test we examine the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO for short), which is responsible for breaking down histamine in your body. As a breakdown product of the protein-containing amino acids, histamine is both produced by your body and ingested in the form of a wide range of foods. Large amounts of histamine are found in foods that are produced or made edible with the help of bacterial or yeast cultures, such as ready meals and preserves, soy sauce, salami, cheese, sauerkraut, (white) beer, wine or sparkling wine.
Histamine intolerance due to enzyme deficiency or impaired enzyme function. Many drugs inhibit DAO activity. This includes drugs such as ASS, Novalgin, Thiamin (vitamin B1), ACC or some antibiotics such as clavulanic acid, cefuroxime and metronidazole. But also heart drugs such as verapamil and dobutamine or the antiemetic metoclopramide (MCP for short). The DAO concentration in the serum also rises enormously 30 minutes after heparin therapy and would therefore also deliver incorrect values.
If there is a histamine intolerance, the cause of the symptoms can be narrowed down in combination with the results of an allergy test.
