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
The Squid (Pacific) Allergy IgE Blood Test measures the level of IgE antibodies in your blood that are specific to Pacific squid. It is a single food allergen test, so it looks at Pacific squid only and does not test other seafood or foods.
IgE is the only antibody class measured. A result shows how much squid-specific IgE is present in your blood sample. This is different from a confirmed clinical food allergy, so your healthcare provider will consider the result alongside your symptoms and history.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibody levels specific to Pacific squid.
- Uses a simple blood sample with no special preparation.
- Gives your healthcare provider squid-specific IgE information to review with you.
- Delivers results online in 3-5 days, though delays may occur.
- Helps you discuss symptoms linked to Pacific squid exposure.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have had symptoms they associate with Pacific squid.
- Individuals with reactions such as hives, itching, swelling, or wheezing after squid exposure.
- Those whose symptoms began within minutes to hours after eating or being around cooked squid.
- Anyone who wants squid-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 how does it differ from other food allergy tests?
It measures IgE antibody levels in your blood that are specific to Pacific squid. It covers one food and one antibody class. It does not measure other seafood, other foods, or other antibody types such as IgG, and results from those tests are not interchangeable with this one.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Symptoms after squid exposure are the main reason to consider it. Reactions can range from mild to severe and may appear within minutes to hours. Anaphylaxis, a severe and possibly life-threatening reaction, requires immediate medical attention. This test does not replace evaluation by a healthcare provider.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results take 3-5 days. They may take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what should I do if they are abnormal?
A result shows your squid-specific IgE level, which is not the same as a confirmed food allergy. Its meaning depends on the result, your symptoms, and your history, and it cannot show how severe a reaction might be or whether squid is safe to eat. If your result is outside the reference range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who can 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 test measures only Pacific squid and does not test any of the items below. These examples are not exhaustive, and they are possible considerations, not confirmed allergies. Many of these relationships involve a shared protein called tropomyosin. Depending on your history, symptoms, or your healthcare provider's guidance, testing for related allergens may also be worth discussing.
- Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster): Tropomyosin is highly similar across these shellfish and squid, and IgE cross-reactivity has been reported. Sensitization does not always mean a clinical reaction.
- Other mollusks (mussels, snails, oysters): These may share tropomyosin with squid. Some people allergic to one shellfish group tolerate others.
- House dust mites: Mite tropomyosin resembles shellfish tropomyosin, and IgE sensitization to both has been reported, sometimes in people who have never eaten the shellfish.
- Cockroaches: Cockroach tropomyosin may also share allergenic features with shellfish tropomyosin, and cross-reactivity has been reported.
