Immunoglobulin E

Casandra

Casandra Test Code AR45194Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab ARUP LaboratoriesLab Test ID 0050345CPT Code 82785

Also known as: IGE

Clinical Use

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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

Separate the serum or plasma from cells as soon as possible or within two hours of collection for optimal results. Ensure the transfer of 1 mL of serum or plasma to an ARUP standard transport tube. If the minimum volume of 0.3 mL is taken, careful handling and prompt processing are critical to ensure accuracy of results.

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.

Test Details

FDA Approved