Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation is required.
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
This test measures catfish-specific IgE antibody levels in your blood (biomarker: F369-IgE Catfish). IgE is the antibody class involved in allergic responses, and this test looks at it for one food only: catfish.
The result reflects IgE directed at catfish. It does not measure other fish, seafood, or foods, and it does not measure other antibody classes such as IgG. A catfish IgE result is not the same as a confirmed clinical food allergy, and it does not indicate reaction severity or which foods are safe to eat.
Benefits
- Measures catfish-specific IgE antibody levels in your blood.
- Focuses on a single food allergen: catfish.
- Requires only a blood sample and no special preparation.
- Gives you IgE information to review with your healthcare provider.
- Results are expected in 3-5 days, though delays are possible.
Who Is This Test For?
- You have had symptoms that you think may be related to catfish.
- You have noticed tingling around the mouth, itching, or hives after eating catfish.
- You have had abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating catfish.
- You have experienced swelling, congestion, or wheezing after eating catfish.
- You want catfish-specific IgE information to discuss with your healthcare provider.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this test measure?
It looks at IgE antibodies to catfish in your blood, using the biomarker F369-IgE Catfish. Only catfish is measured. Other fish, seafood, or foods are not included, and IgE results should not be treated as interchangeable with other antibody classes such as IgG. Your healthcare provider can use the result as one piece of information when evaluating a possible catfish allergy.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Symptoms after eating catfish are the main reason to consider it. Food-related symptoms most often begin within two hours of eating, and frequently within minutes. In some rare cases, a response can be delayed by four to six hours or longer. Reactions can be mild to severe. Severe symptoms, such as a swollen throat, trouble breathing, or loss of consciousness, need immediate medical attention.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required. You do not need to follow any fasting or other preparation steps before your blood draw.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Expect results in 3-5 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays. Your results will be available online once they are ready.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
A catfish IgE result shows the level of catfish-specific IgE in your blood. It cannot on its own confirm or rule out a clinical food allergy. The meaning depends on your result, your history, and your symptoms. It does not show reaction severity or whether catfish is safe for you to eat. If your result is outside the reference range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who can discuss next steps with you.
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 in different allergen sources. This test measures only catfish-specific IgE and does not test for any of the items listed below. The examples are not exhaustive. They are possible additional considerations, not confirmed allergies, and cross-reactivity does not mean you will react to another food. Depending on your history, symptoms, or your healthcare provider's guidance, related allergen testing may also be worth discussing.
- Other finfish (such as salmon, trout, cod, or carp): Many people with fish allergy react to more than one species, often due to similar parvalbumin proteins. Some people tolerate certain species.
- Chicken: Cross-reactivity between fish and chicken proteins (including parvalbumin, aldolase, and enolase) has been reported in some individuals.
Shellfish such as shrimp or crab are generally not considered cross-reactive with fish because their major allergens differ, although some people are sensitized to both.
