Immunoglobulin E
Also known as: IGE
Use
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing is primarily used to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of allergies and some parasitic infections. Elevated levels of IgE can indicate allergic reactions, asthma, or certain infections. The test is useful for clinicians in diagnosing allergies by identifying elevated IgE levels in patients with allergic symptoms, enabling targeted treatment. It can also help in the management of conditions like asthma, as IgE levels may correlate with the severity of the disease. IgE measurement can guide therapeutic decisions in allergy immunotherapy and in assessing response to treatment.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
The test has limitations in that it does not specify the allergen properties or the allergies a patient has; it only measures the total level of IgE in the blood. Factors such as medications, other conditions, and temporal variability in IgE levels can impact test results. Variability in IgE production and the broad range of normal values can make interpretation challenging without additional clinical context. Furthermore, the test might not capture transient spikes or decreases in IgE, requiring serial testing for trend analysis.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Fluorescent Enzyme Immunoassay)
Biomarkers
Immunoglobulin E
Analyte
LOINC Codes
- 19113-0 - IgE SerPl-aCnc
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
ARUP standard transport tube
Collection Instructions
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer to an ARUP standard transport tube.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens. Postmortem samples.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 year |
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