Food Allergy Test
Our food allergy blood test measures your immune response to some of the most common foods known to trigger an allergic reaction. This test, along with symptoms and history, will help give you a better understanding of your body's reaction to common foods and guide your future food choices.
What are IgE antibodies?
Individuals who are allergic to proteins in specific foods develop IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies to those food proteins. IgE is a protective blood protein that is produced when you’re exposed to a substance that your body views as a threat. Therefore, measurable IgE may indicate the presence of an allergy.
Please Note:
Having measurable IgE for a particular allergen does not guarantee that you will have allergy symptoms when exposed to it. In general, higher IgE levels are associated with a greater chance of having a true allergy but do not predict how severe your allergic symptoms could be.1
IgE testing is not considered sufficient to diagnose an allergy on its own.2 Although measurement of allergen-specific IgE can enhance the evaluation of potential allergies, other factors will help tell the full story. Your clinical history, age, and the presence of other conditions (such as atopic dermatitis) should be discussed with a healthcare professional before making a diagnosis or removing foods from your diet.
Preparation
No special preparation.
What's Included
Why Consider This Test?
Understand Your Symptoms
Researchers estimate that 32 million Americans may suffer from food allergies.4 Knowing what is causing your symptoms can give you daily relief.
Make Better Food Choices
The results of your food allergy blood test can help guide your future food choices to reduce allergic reactions, which can be severe for some people.
Avoid Serious Risks
Individuals with food allergies who also have asthma may be at increased risk for severe or fatal food allergy reactions.4
Common Food Allergy Symptoms
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to foods may involve the skin, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, or the respiratory tract. Common symptoms are:5
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Itchy mouth or lips
- Hives or rash
- Wheezing
- Repetitive cough
- Tight, hoarse throat; trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the tongue and/or face, affecting the ability to talk or breathe
Anaphylaxis is one of the most serious indications of a food allergy and can be life-threatening. It usually occurs within minutes of exposure to a food allergen. Sometimes, however, it can happen a half-hour or longer after exposure. Signs and symptoms include:6
- Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Constriction of your airways and a swollen tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing and trouble breathing
- A weak and rapid pulse
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
You’re in Control of Managing Your Food Allergies
By gaining an understanding of your IgE levels, you can make more educated decisions about your health and potential food allergies.
It starts by getting answers.
How It Works
1. Choose Your Tests
Shop for tests and pay online. An independent physician will review and approve your test requests; no doctor’s visit is required.
2. Provide Your Sample
Take the requisition number we emailed you, along with a photo ID, to a Labcorp location for sample collection.
3. Access Your Results Online
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp OnDemand account. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by PWN health via phone or mail.
References
- Waserman, S, Bégin, P, and Watson, W. “IgE-Mediated Food Allergy.” Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 12 Sep 2018; 14(Suppl 2):55.’
- Boyce, JA et al. "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel." J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010; 126:S1-58.
- Pawankar R. Allergic diseases and asthma: a global public health concern and a call to action. World Allergy Organization Journal 2014, 7:12.
- “Facts and Statistics.” Food Allergy Research & Education. www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/food-allergy-101/facts-and-statistics.
- “Food Allergies: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” ACAAI Public Website. acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy.
- “Anaphylaxis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 5 Jan 2018. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anaphylaxis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351468.
How To Get This Test
1. Choose Your Tests
Shop for tests and pay online. An independent physician will review and approve your test requests; no doctor’s visit is required.
2. Provide Your Sample
Take the requisition number we emailed you, along with a photo ID, to a Labcorp location for sample collection.
3. Access Your Results Online
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp OnDemand account. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by PWN health via phone or mail.
Getting My Results
We've made getting your results easier and more convenient than ever. View your easy-to-read results online in your Pixel by Labcorp account. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail. To view a sample report click the "sample report" button below.
