Quest Medi Lab

09/16/2025

A new blood-based diagnostic test may transform how food allergies are identified. With support from a FARE research grant, scientists are developing a next-generation basophil activation test (BAT) that can assess reactivity to multiple allergens using just a small blood sample, potentially reducing the need for oral food challenges.
While still in the research phase, this simplified and scalable test could lead to faster diagnoses, less patient anxiety, and fewer unnecessary food avoidances. FARE is proud to support innovations that move us closer to safer, more accessible food allergy care. Read more here: https://bit.ly/45PsLYX Healio

09/16/2025

09/10/2025

Very interesting

A new study from Yale School of Medicine has uncovered a link between skin injuries and the development of food allergies. In mice, researchers found that when a new food was introduced into the gut at the same time as a skin injury, such as a cut or even sunburn, the animals developed food allergies to that food. This connection may explain why children with chronic skin conditions like eczema are three times more likely to have food allergies, with skin inflammation sometimes preceding allergic disease.
The findings suggest that the immune system may “remember” foods introduced during times of skin damage as dangerous, even though the gut is normally tolerant to new foods. This challenges the notion that allergens must enter the body directly through broken skin, suggesting instead that signals between the skin and gut may drive allergic responses.
Read more here: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/skin-injury-may-bring-on-food-allergies/

09/10/2025

🌞 Medical Tip of the Day: Vitamin D & Your Health 🌞

Did you know that up to 1 in 3 Canadians may be low in Vitamin D, especially during the fall and winter months? Vitamin D plays a vital role in:

✅ Supporting strong bones and teeth
✅ Strengthening the immune system
✅ Helping regulate mood and energy levels

💡 Quick Tip: Just 10–20 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week can help boost Vitamin D naturally. But in our northern climate, supplements or Vitamin D-rich foods (like salmon, egg yolks, or fortified milk) are often needed to maintain healthy levels.

👉 Ask your healthcare provider or local Quest+Medi lab about checking your Vitamin D levels—optimal levels make a big difference in overall health!

09/03/2025

🌿 Did you know?
IgE antibodies are like the body’s "allergy radar." They’re designed to protect us from parasites, but in many people, they mistakenly react to harmless things like pollen, food, or pet dander.

👉 Tip: If you’re struggling with allergy-like symptoms (sneezing, rashes, gut upset) and can’t pinpoint the cause, checking your IgE levels through a simple blood test can help uncover hidden triggers. Knowing your IgE profile can save you years of guesswork and help you feel better, faster.

07/11/2025

Phlebotomy tip: hard to get veins and how to make them visible. Some people are naturally afraid of needles and some people are naturally cold all of the time. Here is a trick that will take care of both situations. Warm the area where you think there is a viable vein. I use a heating pad with a plastic cover that I can sterilize. When I worked in the hospital, we would use hot towels that we would wrap around the area. The warmth will calm them down and warm up the area. You can also have them move their fingers on the arm you wish to collect from.

07/11/2025