Allergy IgE testing “RAST Test” Allergy Blood Test
Allergy IgE testing Specific IgE RAST test Blood allergy test for adults and children in London.
Why do we use a blood allergy test and what is the difference with prick test and other types of allergy tests?
Allergy IgE testing ImmunoCap measures free specific IgE to an individual allergens that you and your allergy consultant suspect to be related to your symptoms. This allergy blood test can be done for more than 400 different allergens (developed by our partner – Phadia – division of Thermo Fisher scientific). In our allergy centre you can get access to the cutting edge technology. Our allergy consultants will help to interpret results for you and your children.
I want to have all available allergy tests done?
Very often we get request to do all possible tests and from technical side this can certainly be done. Our consultants encourage to start from symptoms and do a limited number of tests for those allergens that actually can be responsible for symptoms and help with diagnosis.
Unfortunately in many cases getting positive or negative result of an allergy test will not answer the main question if the particular allergen is responsible for causing the symptoms. We see many patients who have positive IgE tests to several allergens and don’t have any symptoms and on the opposite negative tests sometimes can be questioned by positive provocation tests when suspected allergen is applied on the skin or mucosa and actually cause symptoms. For example this is relevant in newly established condition called local allergic rhinitis, when people with negative allergy tests suffer from very bad hay fever (running nose, sneezing and itchy eyes). This is why these tests need interpretation by experienced allergy consultants and are not recommended without a consultation with allergy specialist before of after testing.
Appointment with allergy consultant can be booked via Electronic Appointment System
List of allergens for an allergy blood test in London:
| Allergen/Code | |
Grass pollens | Bahia grass g17 Barley g201 Bermuda grass g2 Brome grass g11 Canary grass g71 Cocksfoot g3 Common reed g7 Cultivated oat g14 Cultivated rye g12 Cultivated wheat g15 False oat-grass g204 Johnson grass g10 Maize, Corn g202 Meadow fescue g4 Meadow foxtail g16 Meadow grass, Kentucky blue g8 Redtop, Bentgrass g9 Rye-grass g5 Salt grass g203 Sweet vernal grass g1 Timothy grass g6 Velvet grass g13 Wild rye grass g70 |
Weed pollens | Alfalfa w45 Camomile w206 Careless weed w82 Cocklebur w13 Common pigweed w14 Common ragweed w1 Dandelion w8 Dog fennel w46 False ragweed w4 Firebush (Kochia) w17 Giant ragweed w3 Goldenrod w12 Goosefoot, Lamb’s quarters w10 Japanese Hop w22 Lupin w207 Marguerite, Ox-eye daisy w7 Mugwort w6 Nettle w20 Plantain (English), Ribwort w9 Rape w203 Rough marshelder w16 Saltwort (prickly), Russian thistle w11 Scale, Lenscale w15 Sheep sorrel w18 Sugar-beet w210 Sunflower w204 Wall pellitory w19 Wall pellitory w21 Western ragweed w2 Wormwood w5 Yellow dock w23 |
Tree Pollens | Acacia t19 American beech t5 Australian pine t73 Bald cypress t37 Bayberry t56 Box-elder t1 Cedar t212 Cedar elm t45 Chestnut t206 Common silver birch t3 Cottonwood t14 Cypress t222 Date t214 Douglas fir t207 Elder t205 Elm t8 Eucalyptus, Gum-tree t18 European ash t25 Grey alder t2 Hackberry t44 Hazel t4 Horn beam t209 Horse chestnut t203 Italian/Mediterranean/Funeral cypress t23 Japanese cedar t17 Linden t208 Maple leaf sycamore, London plane t11 Melaleuca, Cajeput-tree t21 Mesquite t20 Mountain juniper t6 Mulberry t70 Oak t7 Oil Palm t223 Olive t9 Paloverde t219 Pecan, Hickory t22 Peppertree t217 Pine t213 Privet t210 Queen palm t72 Red cedar t57 Red mulberry t71 Russian olive t54 Scotch broom t55 Spruce t201 Sweet gum t211 Walnut t10 White ash t15 White hickory t41 White pine t16 Willow t12 Virginia live oak t218 |
House Dust | Greer Labs., Inc. h1 Hollister-Stier Labs. h2 |
Mites | Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(House dust mite) d1 Dermatophagoides farinae (House dust mite) d2 Blomia tropicalis (House dust mite) d201 Dermatophagoides microceras (House dust mite) d3 Euroglyphus maynei (House dust mite)d74 Acarus siro (Storage mite) d70 Glycyphagus domesticus (Storage mite) d73 Lepidoglyphus destructor(Storage mite)d71 Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Storage mite) d72 |
Occupational Allergens | Abachi wood dust k212 Bougainvillea k214 Castor bean k71 Chloramin T k85 Cotton seed k83 Ethylene oxide k78 Ficus k81 Formaldehyde/Formalin k80 Green coffee bean k70 Hexahydrophtalic anhydrid k209 Isocyanate HDI (Hexamethylene diisocyanate) k77 Isocyanate MDI (Diphenylmethane diisocyanate) k76 Isocyanate TDI (Toluene diisocyanate) k75 Ispaghula k72 Latex k82 Methyltetrahydrophtalic anhydrid k211 Phthalic anhydride k79 Silk k74 Silk waste k73 Sunflower seed k84 Trimellitic anhydride, TMA k86 |
Miscellaneous | Artemia salina, fish feed o202 Tetramin, fish feed o203 Cotton, crude fibers o1 Daphnia, fish feed o207 Mealworm o211 MUXF3 CCD, Bromelain o214 Seminal fluid o70 Streptavidin o212 Tobacco leaf o201 |
Epidermals and animal proteins | Budgerigar droppings e77 Budgerigar feathers e78 Canary bird droppings e200 Canary bird feathers e201 Cat dander e1 Camel dander e306 Chicken droppings e218 Chicken feathers e85 Chicken, serum proteins e219 Chinchilla epithelium e208 Cow dander e4 Deer epithelium e216 Dog dander e5 Duck feathers e86 Ferret epithelium e217 Finch feathers e214 Fox epithelium e210 Gerbil epithelium e209 Goat epithelium e80 Goose feathers e70 Guinea pig epithelium e6 Hamster epithelium e84 Horse dander e3 Horse, serum proteins e205 Mink epithelium e203 Mouse epithelium e71 Mouse epithelium, serum proteins and urine proteins e88 Mouse serum proteins e76 Mouse urine proteins e72 Parakeet droppings e197 Parakeet feathers e196 Parakeet serum e198 Parrot feathers e213 Pigeon droppings e7 Pigeon feathers e215 Rabbit epithelium e82 Rabbit, serum proteins e206 Rabbit, urine proteins e211 Rat epithelium e73 Rat epithelium, serum proteins and urine proteins e87 Rat serum proteins e75 Rat urine proteins e74 Reindeer epithelium e202 Sheep epithelium e81 Swine epithelium e83 Turkey feathers e89 |
Moulds, Yeast and Fungus | Acremonium kiliense m202 Alternaria alternata m6 Aspergillus flavus m228 Aspergillus fumigatus m3 Aspergillus niger m207 Aspergillus terreus m36 Aureobasidium pullulans m12 Botrytis cinerea m7 Candida albicans m5 Chaetomium globosum m208 Cladosporium herbarum m2 Curvularia lunata m16 Epicoccum purpurascens m14 Fusarium proliferatum (F. moniliforme) m9 Setomelanomma rostrata (Helminthosporium halodes) m8 Malassezia spp. m227 Mucor racemosus m4 Penicillium chrysogenum (P. notatum) m1 Penicillium glabrum m209 Phoma betae m13 Pityrosporum orbiculare (syn. Malassezia) m70 Rhizopus nigricans m11 Stemphylium herbarum (S. botryosum) m10 Tilletia tritici m201 Trichoderma viride m15 Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. goetzii m210 Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale m211 Trichophyton rubrum m205 Trichosporon pullulans m203 Ulocladium chartarum m204 |
Microorganisms bacterial products | Staphylococcal enterotoxin A m80 Staphylococcal enterotoxin B m81 Staphylococcal enterotoxin C m223 Staphylococcal enterotoxin TSST m226 |
Parasites | Anisakis p4 Ascaris p1 Echinococcus p2 |
Insects | Berlin beetle i76 Blood worm i73 Cockroach, American i206 Cockroach, German i6 Cockroach, Oriental i207 Fire ant i70 Grain weevil i202 Green nimitti i72 Horse fly i204 Mediterranean flour moth i203 Mosquito i71 Moth i8 |
Venoms | Bumblebee i205 Common wasp (Yellow jacket) i3 European Paper Wasp i77 European hornet i75 Honey bee i1 Paper wasp i4 White-faced hornet i2 Yellow hornet i5 |
Drug Allergens | Amoxicilloyl c6 Ampicilloyl c5 Cefaclor c7 Chlorhexidine c8 Chymopapain c209 Gelatin bovine c74 Insulin bovine c71 Insulin human c73 Insulin porcine c70 Penicilloyl G c1 Penicilloyl V c2 Protamine Rc207 Pholcodine c261 Morphine c260 Suxamethonium (succinylcholine) c202 |
Food Additives | Carob (E410) f296 Guar, guar gum (E412) f246 Gum arabic (E414) f297 Tragacanth (E413) f298 Cochineal extract (Carmine red) (E120) f340 |
Foods – Miscellaneous | Cacao f93 Coffee f221 Honey f247 Mushroom (champignon) f212 Tea f222 Yeast f45 |
Foods – Fruit & Vegetables | FRUITS & BERRIES: Apple f49 Apricot f237 Banana f92 Blackberry f211 Blueberry f288 Carambola f295 Cherry f242 Date f289 Fig f328 Grape f259 Grapefruit f209 Guava f292 Jack fruit f318 Jujube f336 Kiwi f84 Lemon f208 Lime f306 Litchi f348 Mandarin (tangerine, clementine, satsumas) f302 Mango f91 Melon f87 Orange f33 Papaya f293 Passion fruit f294 Peach f95 Pear f94 Persimon (kaki fruit, sharon) f301 Pineapple f210 Plum f255 Raspberry f343 Red currant f322 Rose hip f330 Strawberry f44 Watermelon f329 VEGETABLES: Asparagus f261 Aubergine, eggplant f262 Avocado f96 Bamboo shoot f51 Beetroot f319 Broccoli f260 Brussel sprouts f217 Cabbage f216 Carrot f31 Cauliflower f291 Celery f85 Cucumber f244 Fennel, fresh f276 Garlic f47 Lettuce f215 Olive (black, fresh) f342 Onion f48 Potato f35 Pumpkin f225 Spinach f214 Sweet potato f54 Tomato f25 |
Foods – Seeds, Legumes and Nuts | NUTS: Almond f20 Brazil nut f18 Cashew nut f202 Hazel nut f17 Macadamia nut f345 Peanut f13 Pecan nut f201 Pine nut, pignoles f253 Pistachio f203 Walnut f256 Coconut f36 Sweet chestnut f299GRAINS: Wheat f4 Spelt wheat f124 Gluten f79 Barley f6 Hop (fruit cone) f324 Malt f90 Rye f5 Oat f7 Buckwheat f11 Common millet f55 Japanese millet f57 Foxtail millet f56BEANS: Lentil f235 Chick pea f309 Pea f12 Lima bean f182 Green bean f315 Red kidney bean f287 White bean f15 Soybean f14SEEDS: Sesame seed f10 Linseed f333 Lupin seed f335 Maize, Corn f8 Poppy seed f224 Pumpkin seed f226 Quinoa f347 Rape seed f316 Rice f9 Sugar-beet seed f227 Blue vetch f310 |
Foods – Milk | Cheese, cheddar type f81 Cheese, mold type f82 Cow’s whey f236 Goat milk f300 Mare’s milk f286 Milk f2 Milk, boiled f231 Sheep milk f325 Sheep whey f326 |
Foods – Fish, shellfish & molluscs | FISH: Anchovy f313 Cod White fish f3 Eel f264 Haddock f42 Hake f307 Herring f205 Mackerel f206 Pollock f413 Salmon f41 Sardine (Pilchard) f308 Sole f337 Trout f204 Tuna f40 Cat fish f369 Chub mackerel f50 Grouper f410 Gulf flounder f147 Halibut f303 Jack mackerel, Scad f60 Megrim f311 Orange roughy f412 Plaice f254 Red snapper f381 Sardine, Japanese Pilchard (Fish muscle) f61 Swordfish f312 Tilapia f414 Walleye pike f415 Whitefish (Inconnu) f384SHELLFISH & MOLLUSCS: Abalone f346 Blue mussel f37 Clam f207 Crab f23 Crayfish f320 Langust (spiny lobster) f304 Lobster f80 Octopus f59 Oyster f290 Pacific squid f58 Scallop f338 Shrimp f24 Squid f258 Snail f314 |
Foods – Egg & fowl | Egg f245 Egg white f1 Egg yolk f75 Chicken f83 Turkey meat f284 |
Foods – Meat | Beef f27 Elk/moose meat f285 Horse meat f321 Mutton f88 Pork f26 Rabbit f213 |
Food Spices | Allspice f339 Anise f271 Basil f269 Bay leaf f278 Black pepper f280 Caraway f265 Cardamon f267 Chilipepper f279 Clove f268 Coriander f317 Curry (Santa Maria) f281 Dill f277 Fennel seed f219 Fenugreek f305 Ginger f270 Green pepper (unripe seed) f263 Lovage f275 Mace f266 Marjoram f274 Mint f332 Mustard f89 Oregano f283 Paprika, Sweet pepper f218 Parsley f86 Saffron f331 Sage f344 Tarragon f272 Thyme f273 Vanilla f234 |
Wheat Component Allergens | rTri a 19 Wheat Omega-5 Gliadin f416 rTri a 14 Wheat LTP f433 nGliadin (α,β, γ and ω gliadins) f98 |
If I live at a distance or have other reasons and can not attend allergy clinics in London?
Our London Laboratory can do allergy testing from a sample sent in the post. We provide all necessary for a blood sample collection by a healthcare professional locally and special transport container with prepaid envelope. Results will be sent to the patient and their GP (if they consent for this).
London Allergy and Immunology Centre together with our partners have developed a program for remote allergy testing using technology of simultaneous IgE detection to 112 different allergens in one test from a finger prick. This is similar method of IgE testsing to ImmunoCAP. This type of Private Allergy Testing is done with Allergy Consultant’s interpretation of results and is available as an allergy UK wide test in any part of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have developed a history questionnaire that can be filled ou on our website and then our consultants will determine if based on your symptoms, doing an allergy test can bring any new information helpful in diagnosis. If yes you will be sent a form and a collection kit (for adults only) or you can attend our laboratory in London with your child where a sample can be collected by a professional phlebotomist (trained to take samples at any age). This test is called ISAC and it is also a specific IgE test but it only includes some allergens.
Allergens described below (the layout of the ISAC biochip is predetermined and it is not possible to add or remove anything (please see ISAC test information and list of allergens).
Allergy IgE testing ImmunoCAP is a very sensitive blood test for allergies. It measures the concentration of immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is an indicator of allergic sensitisation. ImmunoCAP is a laboratory test that can detect sensitisation to one allergen at a time (comparing to Immunocap ISAC (above) that tests for multiple allergens in one test). ImmunoCAP can test for hundreds of allergens, such as weeds, trees, pollen, mould, food, and animal dander—all with just one blood sample taken during a single appointment. The list of allergens that we can test is given below. Multiple tests can be done using the same sample. This test can be done for adults and children.
Results usually take under 2 weeks to be ready and are sent to the consultant who requested the test for you. You also can get a copy of the test result by e-mail. Our consultants will interpret results for you during the follow-up consultation (consultation is not included in the price). Results can help your doctor determine your or your child’s individual allergy profile that can help to create a treatment plan. This might include medications and tips to help you reduce exposure to your child’s specific allergic triggers, including rhinitis triggers, asthma triggers, and food allergy triggers. Accuracy: Among allergy blood tests, ImmunoCAP is widely considered to be the most accurate and precise—the best test, the gold standard.(1-4)
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