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's Included
This panel measures IgE antibody levels in your blood for six specific seafood items.
- Codfish: IgE antibody measurement for codfish.
- Crab: IgE antibody measurement for crab.
- Lobster: IgE antibody measurement for lobster.
- Salmon: IgE antibody measurement for salmon.
- Shrimp: IgE antibody measurement for shrimp.
- Tuna: IgE antibody measurement for tuna.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibody levels for six seafood allergens from one blood sample.
- Brings codfish, crab, lobster, salmon, shrimp, and tuna results together in one panel.
- Requires no special preparation before your blood draw.
- Provides allergen-specific IgE information you can review with your healthcare provider.
- Gives you results online after a visit to a local lab.
Who Is This Test For?
- You have had symptoms you associate with seafood and want IgE measurements for specific items.
- You want codfish, crab, lobster, salmon, shrimp, and tuna measured together.
- You have noticed hives, itching, swelling, or abdominal discomfort after seafood exposure.
- You have had symptoms that began within minutes or hours after eating seafood.
- You want lab information to discuss seafood-related symptoms with your healthcare provider.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this panel test?
Six seafood items are measured by IgE antibody levels in your blood: codfish, crab, lobster, salmon, shrimp, and tuna. Each item is measured individually. The results show antibody levels, which your healthcare provider can consider alongside your symptoms and history. They do not confirm a clinical food allergy on their own.
2. Does this panel test every kind of seafood?
No. Only the six items listed in What's Included are measured. Other fish, shellfish, and seafood-based products are not part of this panel. A seafood category name does not mean every food in that category is covered.
3. How does this panel differ from individual food allergy tests?
An individual test focuses on one specified allergen. This panel measures six specified seafood allergens together from one blood sample. The difference is scope, not accuracy, so neither approach is inherently better. Your choice may depend on which items you want measured.
4. Who should consider this panel, and when?
Symptoms that seem linked to seafood are the most common reason to consider this panel. Reactions vary from mild to severe and often begin within minutes. Most occur within two hours, though some may be delayed by four to six hours or longer. Difficulty breathing, a swollen throat, or loss of consciousness requires immediate medical attention.
5. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required.
6. How quickly will I get results?
Results take 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
7. How should I interpret my results, and what if one or more are abnormal?
Review each seafood result on its own rather than as one overall positive or negative. IgE levels are measured antibodies, not proof of a clinical reaction, and they do not predict severity or show whether a food is safe to eat. If any result is abnormal, share it with your healthcare provider, who can interpret it alongside your history and decide on any next steps.
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 foods or substances. This panel measures only codfish, crab, lobster, salmon, shrimp, and tuna. The items below are not included in this panel. These examples are not exhaustive and do not indicate confirmed allergies. Depending on your history or symptoms, related allergen testing may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
- Other fish species: Parvalbumin is a major fish allergen, and reactions to more than one fish species have been reported. Some people with fish allergy tolerate certain species, and tuna generally contains less parvalbumin. This relates to codfish, salmon, and tuna.
- Other crustaceans and mollusks (such as squid, snails, and oysters):Tropomyosin, a protein found in many invertebrates, has been associated with cross-reactivity among shellfish. This relates to shrimp, crab, and lobster.
- House dust mites and cockroaches: Their tropomyosin is similar to shrimp tropomyosin, and sensitization to these sources has been reported to occur together with shellfish sensitization.
- Fish and shellfish as separate groups: Their major allergens differ (parvalbumin and tropomyosin). Clinically meaningful cross-reactivity between the two groups has not been shown, though some people are sensitized to both.
