Has anyone had a DAO (diamine oxidase) deficiency exam?

Posted by Chris Gautier OR Santosha @santosha, Jan 7 7:08pm

Hi All,
Recently, my gastroenterologist has asked me to take an exam to evaluate my DAO levels and I see I have a certain deficiency. Researching more about it on the internet, I have learned that DAO deficiency is mostly genetic, but can also be caused by medications such as anti-depressants, AEDs (especially carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproate) and others.
Though it seems that the relationship between Diamine Oxidase (DAO) and epilepsy has not yet been extensively documented, there are some pieces of evidence that abnormal DAO levels can influence seizure activity.
Has anyone here in the group done this exam to measure his or her DAO levels? Curious to know.
Thank you!
Chris (@santosha)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Jan 15 5:36am

Here I share a study from 2012 that I have found through searching more about this subject.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3514756/#:~:text=Histamine%20is%20considered%20to%20be,et%20al.%2C%202004)
Yesterday, I was at my gastro and came out of this appointment with her very disappointed. She said I am not a specialist in epilepsy and AEDs. Initially, she said she was not aware that AED could cause DAO deficiency, but after making quick searches she found that carbamazepine and topiramate can cause DAO deficiency. Clearly, she did not prepare for this appointment.

She said that Keppra can cause all those gastrointestinal problems I am having and recommended I see a nutritionist to start a diet to hold on better with Keppra and feel a bit better.

Thank you!
Chris (@santosha)

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 15 11:33am

In reply to @santosha "Here I share a study from 2012 that I have found through searching more about this..." + (show)

Hi, @santosha - Sorry to hear about the disappointing appointment.

Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Jan 18 9:54am

It is well-known that medications can cause DAO deficiency, among them some AEDs. My gastro doctor did a quick research during our appointment this week and found that carbamazepine and topiramate are among them. I have tried to research myself, but I could not find much.
Chris (@santosha)

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 20 7:18pm

Hi, @santosha - One place I really like for finding research articles is Google Scholar. You can search by article name, author or keyword. The latter is what I usually do. Have you had the chance to try this academic/scholarly search engine?