What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is an allergic condition triggered by the bite of a Lone Star tick. It causes allergic reactions to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule found in most mammals. Symptoms typically appear 3-6 hours after eating red meat, pork, or lamb, and can range from hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. According to the CDC, over 450,000 Americans may have developed AGS since 2010.

What foods should Alpha-Gal patients avoid?

Alpha-Gal patients must avoid all mammalian meat including beef, pork, lamb, venison, and bison. Many also react to mammalian by-products like gelatin (found in gummy vitamins and gel capsules), dairy products, and ingredients derived from mammals such as lard, tallow, and carrageenan. Safe alternatives include poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), fish, seafood, eggs, and all plant-based foods.

What medications are safe for Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Many medications contain hidden mammalian ingredients. Gel capsules and softgels often contain bovine or porcine gelatin. Safe alternatives include tablets, caplets, liquids, and capsules made with vegetable-based HPMC. Always check inactive ingredients for gelatin, magnesium stearate (usually plant-derived in US), lactose, and stearic acid. VectorShield helps patients identify safe medication alternatives.

What are the 4 sensitivity levels of Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal sensitivity varies by patient: Level 1 (Mild, ~40%) - react only to mammalian meat; Level 2 (Moderate, ~30%) - also react to gelatin products; Level 3 (Significant, ~20%) - also react to dairy products; Level 4 (Severe, ~10%) - react to trace amounts and cross-contamination, sometimes called 'super reactors'. Sensitivity can change over time, especially with additional tick bites.

Can Alpha-Gal Syndrome be cured?

There is currently no cure for Alpha-Gal Syndrome, but many patients see improvement over time if they avoid additional tick bites. Some patients report tolerance returning after 1-5 years of strict avoidance and no new tick exposures. However, a single new tick bite can restart or worsen the condition. Management focuses on strict avoidance of trigger foods and carrying emergency medication like epinephrine.

5 Wearable Devices Supported

Works with your wearable

Name: VectorShield
Author: HutchWare, LLC

VectorShield connects to your wearable through Apple Health -- no proprietary APIs, no extra setup. Your device's companion app syncs vital signs to Apple Health, and VectorShield reads them to detect early signs of allergic reactions.

How It Works

Every supported device follows the same path to VectorShield

Your Wearable

Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Garmin, Fitbit, or WHOOP collects heart rate, HRV, and other vital signs throughout the day.

Apple Health

Each device's companion app writes vital sign data to Apple Health. This is the universal bridge between your wearable and VectorShield.

VectorShield

Reads vital signs from Apple Health, applies the ML risk model, and alerts you to potential reactions -- even from hidden ingredients.

Supported Devices

Each device brings different strengths to reaction detection

Best Experience

Apple Watch

Real-time streaming with the fastest updates

The only device with real-time vital sign streaming. Enables the fastest reaction detection with 5-second heart rate updates. Wrist temperature available during sleep (Series 8+/Ultra).

HR Interval

5 seconds

HRV Metric

SDNN

Streaming

Yes

Skin Temp

Sleep only

Oura Ring

Discreet monitoring with skin temperature tracking

Skin temperature tracking can reveal early inflammatory responses. Batch syncs every 5 minutes via the Oura companion app.

HR Interval

5 minutes

HRV Metric

rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin Temp

Yes

Garmin

Dual HRV metrics with frequent heart rate updates

Reports both SDNN and rMSSD HRV metrics, giving VectorShield more data points for accurate reaction detection.

HR Interval

15 seconds

HRV Metric

SDNN + rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin Temp

Fitbit

Affordable monitoring with skin temperature on Sense models

Sense and Sense 2 models include skin temperature. Syncs to Apple Health via the Fitbit companion app.

HR Interval

10 seconds

HRV Metric

rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin Temp

Yes

WHOOP

Recovery-focused with continuous skin temperature

Continuous skin temperature monitoring pairs well with HRV for detecting inflammatory responses. Syncs via the WHOOP app.

HR Interval

60 seconds

HRV Metric

rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin Temp

Yes

Device Comparison

Side-by-side capabilities for each supported wearable

Capability	Apple Watch	Oura Ring	Garmin	Fitbit	WHOOP
HR Interval	5 seconds	5 minutes	15 seconds	10 seconds	60 seconds
HRV Metric	SDNN	rMSSD	SDNN + rMSSD	rMSSD	rMSSD
Real-Time Streaming	Supported	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Skin Temperature	Supported	Supported	Not supported	Supported	Supported
SpO2	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Respiratory Rate	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Trend Windows	15 / 30 min	30 / 60 min	20 / 40 min	15 / 30 min	20 / 40 min

Batch-sync devices receive a 0.6x trend confidence attenuation in the ML model to account for less frequent data updates. Apple Watch streaming data has no attenuation.

Get Started in 3 Steps

Pair your wearable

Set up your Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Garmin, Fitbit, or WHOOP using the manufacturer's companion app on your iPhone.

Enable Apple Health sync

In your wearable's companion app, enable Apple Health integration so heart rate, HRV, and other metrics are shared with Apple Health.

Install VectorShield

Download VectorShield and grant Apple Health read permissions. VectorShield automatically detects your device and configures the optimal trend windows.

Ready to connect your wearable?

Download VectorShield and start monitoring your vitals for early reaction detection -- no matter which wearable you wear.

Download for iOS How Detection Works