IgE Allergy Explorer
Evaluate Over 150 Foods and Inhalants
IgE Allergy Explorer™ is a comprehensive blood test measuring IgE antibodies to a plethora of foods and environmental allergens.
The IgE Allergy Explorer tests over 150 allergens at the extract and component level, making it the most extensive and affordable functional medicine allergy test available. Plus, the entire panel is a simple at-home collection using just a few drops of blood.
Documents
Explore our IgE Allergy Explorer educational resources. Learn about the markers on the test and how they impact overall health so you can better interpret results.
Important Facts About Allergies
Over 50 Million Americans
…suffer from allergies with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis.9
Over 350% Increase
…in diagnosis and treatment related to allergies and anaphylaxis occurred between 2007 and 2016.10
1.6% to 5.1% of Adults
…have suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction. Food and insect venom are the most common cause of anaphylactic reactions.11
Clinical Information
IgE is a class of human immunoglobulins or antibodies. Normally, the function of IgE is to fight parasitic infections.
IgE antibodies are misdirected in allergic individuals to fight harmless substances like pollen, mite particles, or common foods. Elevated IgE antibodies are necessary for allergies (immediate, Type 1 immune responses) to occur.
Understanding IgE Blood Testing Using IgE Food Explorer
What Is an Allergy?
Allergy is a commonly used term to describe a misguided reaction of the immune system. The term allergy itself is a combination of the Greek words for “unknown” and “reaction.” During an IgE-mediated allergic reaction, the immune system is triggered by normally harmless substances, leading to symptoms ranging in severity from mild to severe. Symptoms can be isolated to certain body systems, such as cutaneous or gastrointestinal (GI). In some cases, allergies can involve multiple systems and lead to anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening.
Allergies affect approximately 25% of the population, and their incidence is very much on the rise. Additionally, allergies can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose, especially since the immune system can change over time. For this reason, allergy testing with the IgE Allergy Explorer™ is a useful tool for effective allergy identification and management.
What is Immunoglobulin E (IgE)?
IgE is a class of human immunoglobulins or antibodies. In healthy individuals, the function of IgE is to fight parasitic infections. IgE antibodies are misdirected in allergic individuals to fight harmless substances like pollen, mite particles, or common foods. Elevated IgE antibodies are necessary for allergies (immediate, Type 1 immune responses) to occur.
Blood Testing for Allergy Using IgE Allergy Explorer
IgE Food Explorer is an allergy blood test (also referred to as a specific IgE test). It measures the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in the blood to different antigens, including foods, pollens, mites, insect venom, and more. The detection of IgE indicates SENSITIZATION to a specific allergen.
It is important to understand that being IgE sensitized and having positive IgE antibodies does not guarantee a clinical response. Many people with a positive test (who are sensitized) may be asymptomatic with exposure to that allergen.
IgE Allergy Explorer needs to be interpreted by the ordering provider in context with patient’s medical history and presenting symptoms. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “A key message is that a positive allergy test result indicates only the presence of allergen-specific IgE sensitization. It does not necessarily mean clinical allergy (i.e., allergic symptoms with exposure). Therefore, test results should always be viewed in the context of overall clinical picture.”
Understanding Extract and Component Testing in Allergy Testing
- Whole allergen (extract) tests that can help rule in or out the specific type of allergy sensitization
- Allergen component tests that drill down into the exact allergenic protein driving symptoms
Precision-Based Insight
The IgE Allergy Explorer provides practitioners precision-based insight into seven categories of allergies at both the extract and component level and includes total IgE as an overall indicator of mast cell-mediated immune response. Elevated antibody levels are correlated with allergic response.
Patient Information
Are you a patient? A healthcare practitioner will need to order the test for you. That can be your own doctor, or contact us so we can help you find a practitioner in your area. Ask your practitioner about IgE Allergy Explorer, and how it can help you achieve better health!
Optimizing Your Health
We know you want to be proactive about your health. IgE Allergy Explorer can help your doctor evaluate how you function to either optimize your current health or identify health issues that need attention.
At Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, we believe in the practice of personalized medicine. Our goal is to help you achieve your health goals through research-based testing and treatment protocols tailored to your unique needs.
Understanding Food Allergies vs. Food Sensitivities
There are important differences between food sensitivities and food allergies. Different arms of the immune system facilitate both conditions. Food allergies are immediate, potentially life-threatening, mast-cell mediated, and often involve IgE antibodies, whereas food sensitivities are delayed reactions and elicit IgG antibodies.
It is best practice to measure IgE (IgE Allergy Explorer™) and IgG (IgG Food Explorer™) antibodies together as they independently create inflammation and play a role in symptoms driven by food. A food can elicit an IgE sensitivity response, an IgG antibody response, or both.
REFERENCES
- Matricardi PM, Kleine-Tebbe J, Hoffmann HJ, Valenta R, Hilger C, Hofmaier S, Aalberse RC, Agache I, Asero R, Ballmer-Weber B, Barber D, Beyer K, Biedermann T, Bilò MB, Blank S, Bohle B, Bosshard PP, Breiteneder H, Brough HA, Caraballo L, Caubet JC, Crameri R, Davies JM, Douladiris N, Ebisawa M, EIgenmann PA, Fernandez-Rivas M, Ferreira F, Gadermaier G, Glatz M, Hamilton RG, Hawranek T, Hellings P, Hoffmann-Sommergruber K, Jakob T, Jappe U, Jutel M, Kamath SD, Knol EF, Korosec P, Kuehn A, Lack G, Lopata AL, M&aumi;kel&aumi; M, Morisset M, Niederberger V, Nowak-Wę:grzyn AH, Papadopoulos NG, Pastorello EA, Pauli G, Platts-Mills T, Posa D, Poulsen LK, Raulf M, Sastre J, Scala E, Schmid JM, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, van Hage M, van Ree R, Vieths S, Weber R, Wickman M, Muraro A, Ollert M. EAACI Molecular Allergology User's Guide. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2016 May;27 Suppl 23:1-250. doi: 10.1111/pai.12563. PMID: 27288833.
- Siles RI. Allergy blood testing: A practical guide for clinicians. Clev Clin J Med. 2011;78(9):585-592.
- National Eczema Association, Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis and Allergies: What Is The Connection?. Accessed October 2021.
- Adapted from Duran-Tauleria E, Vignati G, Guedan MJ, et al. The utility of specific immunoglobulin E measurements in primary care. Allergy. 2004;59 Suppl 78:35-41.
- Eigenmann PA, Atanaskovic-Markovic M O'B Hourihane J, et al. Testing children for allergies: why, how, who and when; an updated statement of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Section of Pediatrics and the EAACI-Clemens von Pirquet Foundation. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2013;24:195-209.
- Canonica GW, Ansotegui I, Pawankar R, et al. A WAO - ARIA - GA2 LEN consensus document on molecular-based allergy diagnostics. World Allergy Organ J. 2013;6:17.
- Roberts G, Ollert M, Aalberse R, et al. A new framework for the interpretation of IgE sensitization tests. Allergy. 2016;71:1540-1551.
- Kattan JD, Sicherer SH. Optimizing the diagnosis of food allergy. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2015;35:61-76.
- Nadolpho. (2021, July 8). Facts and stats - 50 million Americans have allergies: Acaai Patient. ACAAI Public Website. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- Food allergies: New data on a growing health issue. RealClearHealth. (2017, August 21). Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- Wood RA;Camargo CA;Lieberman P;Sampson HA;Schwartz LB;Zitt M;Collins C;Tringale M;Wilkinson M;Boyle J;Simons FE; (n.d.). Anaphylaxis in America: The prevalence and characteristics of anaphylaxis in the United States. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
* IgE Allergy Explorer™ testing is not intended for disease diagnosis. Information provided by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory does not constitute medical advice; but is for educational purposes only. Services provided are for laboratory testing only. No charge is incurred for ordering collection kits.