Lab results are only as useful as the way they’re interpreted. Tryptase is a perfect example. Most labs report a single reference range, often labeling anything under a certain number as “normal.” But when you look closer at the research, tryptase levels vary by age, population, and percentile. What may fall within a standard reference range may not be optimal for a specific patient sitting in front of me. For patients with mast cell reactivity, these nuances matter. Interpreting labs through an

Tryptase? I check it, sure. But I can’t say I care when it’s negative. Tryptase is elevated in only a minority of those with mast cell activation. That’s why the new Consensus-2 guidelines updated the diagnostic framework for MCAS — and finally gave us the flexibility to treat the patient, not just the numbers. Consensus-2 Criteria for MCAS: 1. Typical symptoms of mast cell activation (affecting ≥2 systems — e.g., flushing, GI upset, tachycardia, brain fog) 2. Elevated mast cell mediators (e.g.,