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Test ID: FOOD6 Food Panel, Serum

Reporting Name

Food Panel

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to codfish, cow's milk, egg white, peanut, soybean, and wheat 

 

Defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms

 

Identifying allergens:

-Responsible for allergic disease and/or anaphylactic episode

-To confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy

-To investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens

 

Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists, or in patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

Testing Algorithm

Includes testing for codfish, cow's milk, egg white, peanut, soybean, and wheat allergen.

Specimen Type

Serum


Advisory Information


This test uses a pooled allergen reagent; therefore, the multi-allergen Immunocap (panel cap) is reported with a single qualitative class result and concentration. This is the appropriate first-tier test for allergic disease.

 

For a listing of allergens available for testing, see Allergens - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies in Special Instructions



Specimen Required


Container/Tube:

Preferred: Red top

Acceptable: Serum gel

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reference Values

Class

IgE kU/L

Interpretation

0

<0.35

Negative

1

0.35-0.69

Equivocal

2

0.70-3.49

Positive

3

3.50-17.4

Positive

4

17.5-49.9

Strongly positive

5

50.0-99.9

Strongly positive

6

≥100

Strongly positive

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday; 8 a.m-3 p.m.

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved or is exempt by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86003

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
FOOD6 Food Panel 30187-9

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
FOOD6 Food Panel 30187-9

Clinical Information

Clinical manifestations of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) diseases are caused by the release of proinflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized effector cells (mast cells and basophils) when cell-bound IgE antibodies interact with allergen.

 

In vitro serum testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the immune response to allergen(s) that may be associated with allergic disease.

 

The allergens chosen for testing often depend upon the age of the patient, history of allergen exposure, season of the year, and clinical manifestations. In individuals predisposed to develop allergic disease(s), the sequence of sensitization and clinical manifestations proceed as follows: eczema and respiratory disease (rhinitis and bronchospasm) in infants and children less than 5 years due to food sensitivity (milk, egg, soy, and wheat proteins) followed by respiratory disease (rhinitis and asthma) in older children and adults due to sensitivity to inhalant allergens (dust mite, mold, and pollen inhalants).

Interpretation

Positive results indicate the possibility of allergic disease induced by one or more allergens present in the multi-allergen cap.

 

Negative results may rule out allergy, except in rare cases of allergic disease induced by exposure to a single allergen.

 

Detection of IgE antibodies in serum (Class 1 or greater) indicates an increased likelihood of allergic disease as opposed to other etiologies and defines the allergens that may be responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms.

 

The level of IgE antibodies in serum varies directly with the concentration of IgE antibodies expressed as a class score or kU/L.

Analytic Time

Same day/1 day

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)

Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Gastroenterology Catalog Additional Information:

mml-allergy