Mast Cell Disorder Symptoms
and Flags in Medical History
A patient history of otherwise unexplained symptoms in two or more organ/systems:
Constitutional:
fatigue
fevers
subjective or objective hyperthermia or hypothermia
flushing
sweats
increased or decreased appetite
weight loss or gain
migratory pruritis
plethora or pallor
chemical/physical sensitivities (often "odd")
poor healing
Pulmonary:
airway inflammation at any level
dyspnea (mild, episodic, "just can't catch a deep breath") or "air hunger"
cough
quick or shallow breathing
sleep apnea regardless of weight
Psychiatric:
depression, anger, irritability, mood lability
anxiety disorders
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders
Endocrinologic and Metabolic:
abnormal electrolytes or liver function tests
hypo or hyperthyroidism, lability of thyroid function
dyslipidemia
impaired glucose control
hypo or hyperferritinemia
nutritional deficiencies, micronutrient deficiencies
delayed puberty
adrenal dysfunction
Neurologic:
headaches
sensory neuropathies (commonly episodic/migratory paresthesias in extremeties)
seizure disorders or "pseudoseizures"
dysautonomias
episodic weakness
cognitive function difficulties (memory, concentration, word-finding)
dyssomnias (insomnia, frequent waking, hypersomnolence, non-restorative sleep, restless legs, sleepwalking or sleep talking, paralysis, night terrors)
sensitivity to sound
tremors
sensation of internal “shaking”
Cardiovascular:
chest pain
palpitations
presyncope or syncope
hypotension
hypertension
blood pressure lability
odd heart failure (example takosubo)
migratory edema
tachycardia
bradycardia
atherosclerosis
various heart rhythm abnormalities
Kounis syndrome (allergic angina)
vascular anomalies
Genitourinary:
frequency
urgency
painful urination
kidney disease
endometriosis
chronic back/flank/abdominal pain
infertility
miscarriages
decreased libido
vulvodynia
vaginitis (often misdiagnosed as infectious)
painful and/or irregular dysmenorrhea or menorrhagia
a variety of challenges with sexual intercourse
interstital cystitis (often misdiagnosed as infection, culture-negative)
recurrent infections resulting from IC
Gastrointestinal and Esophageal:
dyspepsia
dysphasia
globus sensation
gastroesophageal reflux
nauusea
vomiting
diarrhea and/or constipation (often alternating)
gastroparesis
feeling of fullness
angioedema
dysphagia
bloating/gas (sometimes extreme)
migratory abdominal pain
malabsorption
cholecystectomy is common (gallbaldder removal often yielding normal pathology)
Oral/Oropharyngeal:
Pain, burning, or irritation
leukoplakia
ulcers
angioedema
dysgeusia
dental and/or periodontal inflammation/decay despite hygiene
Otologic/Osmic:
Infectious or sterile otitis externa and/or media
hearing loss
tinnitus
dysomia
vertigo
coryza (rhinitis)
post-nasal drip
congestion
epistaxis (nose bleeds)
Hematologic:
easy bruising
abnormalities in clotting time
vasculitis
polycythemia or anemia (typically mild)
leukocytosis or leukopenia (typically mild)
monocytosis or eosinophilia or basophilia (typically mild)
thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia (typically mild)
arterial and/or venous thromboembolic disease
Immunologic:
hypersensitivity reactions
increased risk for malignancy
autoimmunity
impaired healing
increased susceptibility to infection
increased or decreased levels of immunoglobulin of any isotype
monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Hepatic:
elevated transaminases
hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
Lymphatic:
Adenopathy (usually sub-pathologic and spontaneously waxing/waning in size, frequently migratory)
adenitis
splenitis (typically mild)
Dermatologic:
dermatographism
rashes/lesions of many sorts
angioedema
alopecia
urticaria
onychodystrophy (brittle/ longitudinally ridged nails)
Musculoskeletal/Connective Tissue:
muscle pain (migratory)
joint pain (migratory)
joint laxity/hypermobility
osteopenia/osteoporosis/osteosclerosis
other tissue growth or development abnormalities
Also particularly note in medical history any presence of:
anaphylactoid reactions
idiopathic “panic attacks”
livedo reticularis
diagnosis or suspicion of eating disorders
autism spectrum disorder
unexpected or paradoxical responses to medications
issues with radiology, electromagnetic fields or other common mast cell triggers like vibration, sun, sweat, hormonal changes, alcohol, spicy foods, exercise, pressure changes, and so on
*Symptoms appearing after skin allergy testing, Covid-19 or other illness, pregnancy, medical procedures, or other major triggers are often particularly helpful red flags for this disorder.