From the Research
Purpose of Allergy Testing for Blood Allergies
The purpose of allergy testing for blood allergies is to:
- Confirm the diagnosis of an allergic disorder, supplementing a clinical history consistent with an immediate allergic reaction 1
- Identify the presence of allergen-specific IgE, which indicates sensitization, but not necessarily clinical allergy 2
- Inform risk management for severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, for food, venom, and drug allergies 3
- Evaluate type I (immediate) hypersensitivity reactions using serum IgE (in vitro) test methods 4
- Determine whether symptoms are caused by IgE antibodies and exposure to an allergen 5
Key Considerations
- A positive allergy test result (skin or blood) indicates only the presence of allergen-specific IgE, not necessarily clinical allergy 2
- The allergy evaluation should be based on the patient's history and directed by a healthcare professional with sufficient understanding of allergy diagnostic testing 2
- Nonselective use of large panels of allergens can lead to false positives and misinterpretation of the results, particularly in food allergy 5
- Additional options for laboratory tests, such as epitope analysis, basophil activation, and mast cell activation, are being investigated for their potential to optimize diagnosis and provide predictors for reaction severity and treatment response 3