Allergen, Food, Alpha-Lactalbumin
Also known as: ALPHA-LACT
Use
The test measures the level of IgE antibodies specific to alpha-lactalbumin, a major protein present in cow's milk. It helps in diagnosing and managing food allergies, particularly to cow's milk. The concentration of allergen-specific IgE is used to assess the probability of an IgE-mediated clinical reaction when exposed to cow's milk proteins. The result should be correlated with the clinical history and in vivo testing for accurate diagnosis. A negative result does not necessarily rule out a clinical allergy.
Special Instructions
Avoid multiple patient encounters to prevent variability in results. Ensure correct specimen collection as per guidelines for optimal results.
Limitations
The correlation between allergen-specific IgE concentrations and the severity of the allergic reaction may not always be direct. Some individuals with low IgE levels might exhibit severe reactions, while others with high levels might have mild or no symptoms. Clinical relevance of IgE levels between 0.10-0.34 kU/L is undetermined and should be interpreted by specialists. A negative test result does not rule out clinical allergy, and correlation with clinical history is essential.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Multitarget Binding Immunoassay)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 7445-0
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Collect using a serum separator tube. Separate serum from cells as soon as possible, or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer to ARUP Standard Transport Tube.
Patient Preparation
Avoid multiple patient encounters to prevent variability.
Storage Instructions
Keep refrigerated for optimal stability.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 year |