Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation is required.
- Turnaround: 4–6 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What's Included
This panel measures allergen-specific IgE antibody levels for a defined group of common shellfish. It is organized into two shellfish groups and includes the following items.
Crustaceans
- Crab (IgE): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to crab.
- Shrimp (IgE): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to shrimp.
- Lobster (IgE): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to lobster.
Mollusks
- Clam (IgE): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to clam.
- Oyster (IgE)(LabCorp only): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to oyster. Available only through LabCorp.
- Scallop (IgE)(LabCorp only): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to scallop. Available only through LabCorp.
Biomarkers tested may vary slightly between labs, so you should review the applicable sample report for detailed biomarker information.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibody levels for 6 common shellfish allergens in one panel.
- Covers both crustacean and mollusk shellfish groups in a single draw.
- Uses a standard blood sample with no special preparation.
- Provides individual, allergen-specific results you can review with your provider.
- Offers a convenient way to check multiple shellfish allergens at once.
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals who have experienced symptoms associated with a possible shellfish allergy.
- Individuals who have noticed symptoms such as swelling, hives, abdominal discomfort, or breathing difficulty after eating shellfish.
- Individuals who want to check IgE antibody levels for multiple common shellfish allergens at once.
- Individuals working with a healthcare provider to help evaluate a suspected shellfish-related reaction.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this panel?
This panel measures allergen-specific IgE antibody levels for a defined group of common shellfish, covering both crustacean and mollusk species. It is intended to help detect sensitization to the specific shellfish listed above, not to diagnose a clinical food allergy on its own.
2. What's included in this panel?
The panel includes IgE testing for crab, shrimp, and lobster (the crustacean group), along with clam, oyster, and scallop (the mollusk group). Oyster and scallop are available only through LabCorp, while Quest performs the remaining four biomarkers. No shellfish outside this list is measured.
3. Does this panel test every shellfish allergen?
No. This panel measures only the specific shellfish biomarkers listed in What's Included. It does not test every shellfish species or every possible shellfish allergen, and results should not be assumed to reflect status for any shellfish not listed here.
4. How does this panel differ from individual food allergy tests?
This panel measures several specified shellfish allergens together in one sample, while an individual food allergy test measures IgE for a single specified allergen. Neither approach is inherently better; the right choice depends on which allergens you and your provider want to evaluate.
5. Who should consider this panel, and when?
This panel may be relevant if you have experienced symptoms such as swelling, hives, abdominal discomfort, or breathing difficulty after eating or handling shellfish. It can be considered as part of a broader evaluation with your healthcare provider when a shellfish-related reaction is suspected.
6. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can proceed with the blood draw without fasting or any additional preparation steps.
7. How quickly will I get results?
Results are generally available in 4-6 days. Turnaround may take longer based on weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
8. How should I interpret my results, and what should I do if one or more are abnormal?
Each shellfish allergen result should be reviewed individually and in the context of your symptoms and history, not as a single combined outcome. A positive IgE result reflects sensitization and does not by itself confirm a clinical food allergy, predict reaction severity, or mean that a food must be avoided; a negative result does not guarantee that a food can be safely consumed. If one or more results are abnormal, review them with a qualified healthcare provider, who can help determine whether further evaluation is appropriate. This test does not provide a diagnosis or treatment recommendation on its own.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes similar proteins across different, seemingly unrelated allergen sources. This panel measures only the shellfish allergens listed in What's Included above, and it does not test for any of the additional foods, pollens, or substances discussed below unless they are specifically listed in the panel. The relationships described here are not an exhaustive list, and they represent possible additional considerations rather than confirmed allergies. Having a documented cross-reactive relationship does not mean a person will necessarily experience a clinical reaction to another allergen. Depending on your history, symptoms, or healthcare provider's guidance, related allergen testing may also be worth discussing.
- Other crustaceans and mollusks:Crab, shrimp, lobster, clam, oyster, and scallop share a muscle protein called tropomyosin, which has been associated with cross-reactivity among crustacean and mollusk species generally, including some not measured by this panel.
- House dust mites: Dust mite proteins share structural similarity with shellfish tropomyosin, and cross-reactivity between dust mite sensitization and shellfish IgE results has been reported in the scientific literature.
- Cockroach: Cockroach allergens also contain tropomyosin, and research on invertebrate tropomyosins has documented cross-reactivity between cockroach sensitization and shellfish allergens.
Because tropomyosin is shared across these invertebrate sources, some people who are sensitized to dust mites or cockroaches may show shellfish IgE reactivity without a history of clinical shellfish reactions, and the reverse can also occur. This is a recognized source of potential false-positive shellfish results and is one reason individual results are best interpreted alongside your history and a healthcare provider's guidance rather than in isolation.
