Food Panel #2, Serum
Use
The test is useful for establishing a diagnosis of allergies to specific food items such as cabbage, paprika, spinach, and tomato. It helps define the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms, confirming sensitization prior to immunotherapy, and investigating the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens. However, testing for IgE antibodies is not useful for patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine residual sensitivity or where the management does not depend on allergen specificity.
Special Instructions
This multi-allergen IgE antibody panel is combined with the measurement of IgE in serum and is a first-order test for allergic disease. It reduces specimen volume and cost for ruling out allergic responses. However, it cannot identify responses to individual allergens within the panel, necessitating follow-up testing for individual allergen differentiation if the test is positive.
Limitations
IgE antibodies testing cannot identify individual allergen responses within the panel. Individuals without significant sensitivity may still have measurable IgE levels, potentially leading to false-positive results. False positives may also occur in cases of markedly elevated serum IgE (>2500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA))
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 75005-9
- 75005-9
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL for every 5 allergens requested
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
Serum gel or Red top tube; submission in plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated (14 days preferred) or frozen (90 days)
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |