Ep. 175: Your Mast Cell Disorder Questions, Answered
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank Blueprint Medicines for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
Mast cell disorders can feel confusing, especially with so much information floating around online and on social media. In this episode, we cut to the chase and tackle the most common mast cell disorder FAQs, straight from the community.
Dr. Dareen Siri joins us to work through community questions on mast cell disorders one by one, from what a mast cell actually is to testing, treatment, diet, and long-term outlook.
What we cover in our episode about mast cell disorders
What is a mast cell. Dr. Siri breaks down what mast cells do in the body and why an overactive one causes symptoms.
The different mast cell disorders. Allergies, autoimmune activation, and clonal disorders like indolent systemic mastocytosis each work differently.
Which tests actually matter. Blood tests, the KIT D816V mutation test, and when a bone marrow biopsy comes into play. Plus, should you consider a urine test?
Treatment and long-term outlook. What targeted treatment (avapritinib) looks like now, and whether a mast cell disorder shortens your lifespan.
Diet, supplements, and bone health. Whether a low histamine diet helps, what the evidence says about supplements, and why bone density matters long term.
About our guest
Dr. Dareen Siri is a board-certified allergist and immunologist based in Central Illinois, where she has practiced for over 20 years treating the full range of allergic and immunologic diseases. She is actively involved in clinical trials advancing new treatments for mast cell disorders.
More resources about mast cell diseases
Timestamps
Our episode about mast cell disorders
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
