What is specific IgE blood testing?
A blood test is a quick and simple way to get answers to your underlying allergy questions. Also called a specific IgE (sIgE) blood test, this powerful tool can aid in accurately diagnosing your allergies by measuring the level of specific antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are an indicator of allergic sensitization and can help your healthcare provider determine if you are allergic and to what.
How can it help?
This powerful diagnostic tool can reveal potential sensitization to hundreds of possible allergens with one blood sample. Blood testing has fewer limitations on who can receive it or when it can be performed compared to other types of testing.
How do I get a test?
You can get an sIgE blood test by making an appointment to visit your healthcare provider, or by taking advantage of convenient options at your local MinuteClinic®, booking an appointment at a lab, or online via telehealth.
Get a test
What symptoms are troubling you most?
Select all that apply.
Upper and Lower Respiratory
Digestive
Skin
Was the onset of your symptoms …
Select one.
- question 1
- question 3
- question 4 e 5
- question 6
- question 7
- question 8
- question 9
This includes a summary of your symptoms, triggers, testing options, and more. You can easily share, print, or download these results.
Date:
Learn more about specific IgE blood testing.
When paired with your medical history and testing, such as specific IgE blood testing for food or respiratory allergies, this information can guide your healthcare provider in creating a testing strategy and customized trigger-management plan to help reduce exposure to suspected allergens.
Hold up. What is this specific IgE blood test I keep reading about?
Glad you asked! A specific IgE blood test measures the level of specific antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are an indicator of allergic sensitization and can help your healthcare provider determine if you are allergic and to what.
That’s a lot to remember. How do I talk to my healthcare provider about it?
We want you to feel comfortable and empowered when it comes to talking about all things allergy, so we asked Dr. Lakiea Wright, a board-certified physician in internal medicine and allergy and immunology, to help. Here are just some of the questions Dr. Wright encourages patients to ask:
- I would like a specific IgE blood test. Would this test be appropriate given my symptoms?
- Do I need to see an allergy specialist?
- Should I keep a symptom and/or food diary?
- Is it possible to outgrow an allergy?
- Can you give me a complete list of allergens I should avoid or reduce my exposure to?
- How can I avoid or reduce my exposure to my allergy triggers?
- Could I be allergic to other allergens, now or in the future?
- Do I need to carry epinephrine shots?
- Can you determine how severely I will react to an allergen?
- Should I take over-the-counter medications to treat my symptoms?
Learn more about blood testing for allergies.
Date:
Specific IgE Summary:
Specific IgE blood testing for allergies isn’t new, but it’s not as well-known as other options, such as skin-prick testing, and your healthcare provider may not be familiar with it. It’s perfectly OK to research your options and tell your healthcare provider that you want a specific IgE blood test. It can also be helpful to share what you’ve learned with your provider.
What Your Healthcare Provider May Need to Know About Specific IgE Blood Testing:
- It’s a quick and simple blood draw that measures the amount of antibodies (IgE) in the blood, which is an indicator of allergic sensitization.
- The results may help your healthcare provider discover hidden risks, such as allergic reactions caused by cross-reactivity.
- Unlike skin-prick testing, there is no risk of an adverse allergic reaction.
- Candidates for specific IgE blood testing do not need to discontinue allergy medications.
- Once a blood sample is taken, it is sent to a lab for analysis. Results are returned within 24 to 48 hours.
- Testing is performed using the Phadia ImmunoCAP™ Specific IgE blood test, which uses a fluoroenzyme immunoassay method that is more accurate than RAST. (If you know, you know, and your healthcare provider will likely know.)
- It can test for hundreds of allergens, including pollen, mold, food, and animal dander, and can be performed at any age.
Find tests quickly.
For allergy info and more…
Allergen Fact Sheets
Get helpful details about allergies, including exposure reduction tips to help manage symptoms. Check out Allergen Fact Sheets.
More Information and Resources
Visit www.allergyinsider.com
