Food Allergy Panel

The Food Allergy Panel test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood, which are produced in response to specific food allergens. This panel evaluates immune responses to the following foods: almond, cashew nut, codfish, cow's milk, egg white, hazelnut, peanut, salmon, scallop, sesame seed, shrimp, soybean, tuna, walnut, and wheat.

If your antibody levels for peanut, milk, or egg are abnormal, additional component panels will be performed on the same sample to provide detailed protein information to share with your allergist. Food allergy reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe symptoms, often developing within minutes to hours of exposure. Identifying which allergens trigger these reactions is important. This panel may help determine whether you've had or currently have an allergic response to any of these food allergens. If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms listed below, this test may be beneficial for you.

PLEASE NOTE
This test reports the presence of IgE antibodies, but the results alone cannot confirm a diagnosis of food allergies. It’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider, who will evaluate your results in the context of your medical history, symptoms, medications, and other tests. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose an allergy and prescribe necessary treatment.

You can buy this food allergy panel online through Quest without needing a doctor’s visit. Simply purchase the test, visit a nearby Quest location for sample collection, and receive your results quickly. This panel measures IgE antibody levels in response to common food allergens:

• Almond

• Cashew nut

• Codfish

• Cow's milk

• Egg white

• Hazelnut

• Peanut

• Salmon

• Scallop

• Sesame seed

• Shrimp

• Soybean

• Tuna

• Walnut

• Wheat

IgE antibodies are normally found in small amounts in the blood, but larger amounts may indicate an overreaction to allergens, triggering the release of histamine and causing an allergic response. Certain foods are known to cause serious allergic reactions, including milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanut, tree nuts, sesame seed, soybean, and wheat. Allergies may cause the following signs and symptoms, which should be discussed with your doctor for confirmation:

• Abdominal pain/cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

• Rash, welts, hives, or eczema

• History of mild allergic reaction to a specific food

• Nasal congestion, wheezing, or mild difficulty breathing

• Runny nose

• Tingling, swelling, or itchiness of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lips, tongue, face, or other areas of the body

This test may not be appropriate if you experience more severe symptoms. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION during your reaction. See a specialist for appropriate evaluation if you experience:

• Chest tightness

• Shortness of breath or constriction and tightening of the airways

• Swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in the throat making it hard to breathe or swallow

• Severe drop in blood pressure

• Rapid pulse

• Feeling faint, dizziness, or lightheaded

• Loss of consciousness

• Anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause itching, hives, skin rash, swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing, potentially leading to shock)

Most allergic reactions occur within minutes, but some may develop hours after exposure. Reactions to allergens can vary from a stuffy nose to anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic shock occurs when blood pressure drops so severely that tissues and cells do not receive enough oxygen. Due to the potential severity of allergic reactions, it is essential to work with your healthcare provider to develop an optimal treatment and prevention plan.