Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia Syndrome (HATS)

Tryptase is one of many chemicals produced by mast cells.  Researchers have recently identified people who make extra copies of the alpha tryptase gene.  This leads to increased levels of tryptase in the blood.  Having extra copies of this gene may or may not cause symptoms.  Some people with this genetic trait, have symptoms similar to those in mastocytosis and MCAS, in particular food intolerances with abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as flushing and swelling of the skin and generalized aches and pains and dizzy spells.  This condition can be excluded if the tryptase level is less than 8ng/ml.  Click here for information from the National Institutes of Health about this newly identified syndrome and click here to download information from Dr Peter Arkwright of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, one of the researchers involved in making this discovery, about how to be tested for this mutation in the UK.