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 IgE antibody levels in your blood specific to shrimp. IgE is the type of antibody your immune system produces when it identifies a substance as harmful, which can lead to histamine release and allergy symptoms.
The test looks at shrimp only. It does not measure other foods or allergens, and an IgE result alone is not the same as a confirmed clinical food allergy.
Benefits
- Measures shrimp-specific IgE antibodies in your blood
- Helps detect a possible food allergy to shrimp
- Requires only a blood sample
- No special preparation is required
- Gives you results to share with your healthcare provider
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have had symptoms they associate with eating shrimp
- Those who have had tingling around the mouth, hives, or swelling after shrimp
- Individuals who have had digestive symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea, after shrimp
- People who have had breathing-related symptoms after shrimp exposure
- Anyone who wants shrimp-specific IgE results to discuss with a healthcare provider
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this test measure, and why might it be ordered?
This test measures shrimp-specific IgE antibodies in your blood. Its purpose is to help detect a food allergy to shrimp, and the result may help a healthcare provider evaluate whether your immune system has produced IgE against shrimp. It does not measure other foods, and it does not confirm a clinical allergy on its own.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Consider it if you have had symptoms after shrimp exposure. Reactions vary from mild to severe, and most occur within two hours of ingestion, often within minutes. In rare cases, a reaction may be delayed by four to six hours or longer. Symptoms of anaphylaxis require immediate medical attention.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required.
4. How quickly will I get my results?
Expect results in 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what should I do next?
Interpretation depends on your result, your symptom history, and other clinical information. A shrimp-specific IgE result shows whether IgE antibodies to shrimp were detected. It does not, by itself, confirm a food allergy, predict how severe a reaction could be, or determine whether shrimp is safe for you to eat. Review your results with a qualified healthcare provider, who can advise 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 test measures only shrimp-specific IgE and does not test for any of the items listed below. These examples are not exhaustive, and they are possible considerations rather than confirmed allergies. Depending on your history, symptoms, or your healthcare provider's guidance, evaluation of related allergens may be worth discussing.
- Other crustaceans (crab, lobster, crayfish): These share allergenic proteins with shrimp, such as tropomyosin, and cross-reactivity has been commonly reported among crustaceans.
- Mollusks (clams, oysters, squid, snails): Some people with shrimp allergy may also react to mollusks, though this relationship is less consistent than with other crustaceans.
- House dust mites: They contain tropomyosin similar to that in shrimp, and cross-reactivity has been reported in some people.
- Cockroach: It may share allergenic proteins with shrimp, and cross-reactivity has been associated with these proteins in some people.
