The Food Allergy Profile test contains 1 test with 15 biomarkers.
Description: A food allergy profile is a blood test that is used to detect IgE antibodies for specific allergens to determine if a person is allergic to them.
Also Known As: Food Allergy Screen, Food IgE Test, Food IgE Panel, Food Allergy Panel
Collection Method: Blood Draw
Specimen Type: Serum
Test Preparation: No preparation required
When is a Food Allergy test ordered?
When a person exhibits symptoms or signs that point to an allergy to one or more substances, one or more tests for the allergen-specific IgE antibodies are typically requested. Some warning signs and symptoms include:
- Hives
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Angry red eyes
- nasal congestion, sneezing, and coughing
- Asthma
- tongue tingling and scratching
- stomach aches, nausea, or diarrhea
On occasion, a test may also be requested to assess the efficacy of immunotherapy or identify whether a child has outgrown an allergy.
What does a Food Allergy blood test check for?
A family of antibodies called immunoglobulin E is connected to allergic responses. Normally, blood only contains very trace levels of it. In order to identify an allergy to a specific substance, this test quantifies the level of allergen-specific IgE in the blood.
The immune system of the body, which serves as its line of defense against “intruders,” includes the antibody IgE. A person who is predisposed to allergies becomes sensitized the first time they are exposed to a potential allergen, such as food, grass, or animal dander. When a person is exposed to a potential allergen, their body reacts by producing a particular IgE antibody that attaches to basophils in the circulation as well as specialized mast cells in their skin, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract. The allergic reaction starts at the location of the next exposure when these associated IgE antibodies recognize the allergen and stimulate the mast and basophil cells to release histamine and other chemicals in response.
Honeybee against bumblebee, egg white versus egg yolk, and gigantic ragweed versus western ragweed are just a few examples of the allergen-specific IgE antibody tests that have been conducted. These tests can be grouped together as food panels or regional weed, grass, and mold panels, for example. Alternately, the medical professional may choose and choose from a lengthy list of specific allergens that are thought to be the source of a person’s allergies.
The RAST radioallergosorbent test, whichh was once the standard procedure for blood testing, has been replaced by more recent IgE-specific immunoassay techniques.
This specific Food Allergy Profile tests for the following IgE antibodies:
- Almond (f20)
- Cashew Nut (f202)
- Codfish (f3)
- Cow’s Milk (f2)
- Egg White (f1)
- Hazelnut (f17)
- Peanut (f13)
- Salmon (f41)
- Scallop (f338)
- Sesame Seed (f10)
- Shrimp (f24)
- Soybean (f14)
- Tuna (f40)
- Walnut (f256)
- Wheat (f4)
Lab tests often ordered with a Food Allergy test:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Total IgE
- Histamine
- Tryptase
Conditions where a Food Allergy test is recommended:
How does my health care provider use a Food Allergy test?
When a person exhibits acute or persistent allergy-like symptoms, a blood test called the allergen-specific IgE antibody test can assist determine whether they are allergic to a particular drug or substances. This is especially true if additional family members are known to have allergies and if symptoms are persistent and seem to be linked to triggers, such as exposure to specific foods or settings.
By exposing a person to various substances while being closely monitored by a medical professional, several sorts of allergy testing can be carried out. However, some skin disorders, such as severe dermatitis or eczema, as well as some drugs, such as histamines and some anti-depressants, can impair the effectiveness of these tests. There is also a chance for severe reactions, including ones that could be fatal, like anaphylaxis, with some testing. The allergen-specific IgE antibody test may be requested as an alternative in these circumstances because it is carried out on a blood sample and has no effect on the person being examined.
The allergen-specific IgE antibody test can help determine whether a child has outgrown an allergy or whether immunotherapy is working. The degree of IgE present does not correspond to the intensity of an allergic reaction, and someone who has outgrown an allergy may continue to have positive IgE for many years thereafter, therefore it can only be used in a generic sense.
What do my Food Allergy test results mean?
Blood tests for allergies must be read carefully. There is a slight possibility that a person does in fact have an allergy even if an IgE test is negative. A person may or may not ever experience an actual physical allergic reaction when exposed to that substance if the specific IgE test is positive.
Negative findings suggest that a person is most likely not allergic, as defined by an IgE-mediated reaction to the particular allergens tested.
A high allergen-specific IgE result suggests that the subject is probably allergic. The quantity of particular IgE present, however, does not always indicate how severe a reaction can be. To confirm an allergy diagnosis, a person's clinical background and additional medically-supervised allergy testing may be required.
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.
