Food Allergy Testing (IgE)

Identify true, immediate food and airborne allergies from a simple sample

A true allergy is an IgE reaction. When IgE is released, the reaction is immediate, from seconds to hours, and because IgE can be held in B-memory cells in your bone marrow, that reactivity can persist for years, even if you've avoided the trigger the whole time. This test measures your IgE response to specific foods and airborne allergens directly, so we can identify what's actually driving a reaction and remove it with confidence.

Signs a true allergy may be part of your picture

In adults:

• Rash or hives
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Sudden sneezing or coughing
• Swelling of the lips, mouth, or throat
• Chest pain or dizziness
• Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting

In children:

• Rectal bleeding
• Constipation
• Colic
• Eczema
• Asthma

If your symptoms look more like brain fog, bloating, joint pain, chronic fatigue, or skin issues that build up over time rather than react immediately, that pattern points to food sensitivity (IgG) rather than allergy (IgE), which is a different test.

Why cross-reactivity matters

Food allergy testing works best alongside aeroallergen testing, because up to 60 percent of food reactions happen through cross-reactivity with pollen. Pollens share proteins with certain fruits and vegetables, so exposure during pollen season can trigger or worsen a reaction to foods that wouldn't otherwise cause a problem. Testing both together gives a clearer picture of what's actually behind your symptoms, not just which single food or pollen looks suspicious in isolation.

Food allergy panels

• 44 IgE Food Panel

How the test works

Each panel uses a quantitative ELISA analysis to detect IgE specific to each food or inhalant allergen tested. The critical component of each allergen is extracted so the antibody in your sample binds correctly, and results are validated against positive and negative controls before being read. Every sample is tested in duplicate to catch any discrepancies before your results are finalised.

Sample collection

You can test using either method, depending on what's easiest for you:

• Dried blood spot: a simple finger prick onto a collection card. This is the more convenient option and doesn't require a full blood draw.
• Serum collection: a standard blood draw, done at a collection point.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between food sensitivity (IgG) and food allergy (IgE)? IgE is a true allergy: the reaction is immediate and can be severe. Food sensitivity involves a different, typically delayed, immune response. If your symptoms show up right away, allergy testing is the better starting point. If they build up gradually, food sensitivity testing may be more useful.

If I'm getting a food allergy IgE panel, should I also add Total IgE? Total IgE gives a broader read on your overall IgE reactivity alongside the specific allergens tested in your panel, and can add useful context to your results.

Does my medication affect the sample collection? Let us know what you're currently taking before you collect your sample so we can flag anything relevant when your results are reviewed.