Whole Egg Allergy IgE Blood Test

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The Whole Egg Allergy IgE Blood Test measures the IgE antibody levels in the blood to help detect an allergy to egg yolks and whites.

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Quick Facts

Sample: Blood (serum)
Fasting: Not required
Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.

Benefits

Fast, convenient screening - Skip specialist referrals and get results in days
Precise IgE measurement - Advanced ImmunoCAP™ technology quantifies antibody levels
Comprehensive egg assessment - Tests both egg white and yolk proteins together
Actionable health insights - Guides diet decisions and allergy management plans
Emergency prevention - Helps avoid potentially serious allergic reactions

Who Is This Test For?

People experiencing symptoms after eating eggs or egg-containing foods
Parents of children with eczema, respiratory issues, or suspected food allergies
Individuals with family history of egg or other food allergies
Anyone considering egg allergy immunotherapy treatment
Health-conscious consumers seeking preventive allergy screening

How It Works – Just 3 Steps

Order online - No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
Visit lab - Quick blood draw at convenient location
Get results digitally - Secure results delivered to online account in 3-5 days

FAQ

What does this test measure? IgE antibodies specific to whole egg proteins (both yolk and white combined).

Can I eat eggs before the test? Yes, no dietary restrictions or fasting required before blood collection.

Will this show how severe my allergy is? No, IgE levels indicate sensitization but don't predict reaction severity.

What if I'm only allergic to egg whites or yolks? This test covers both components; separate tests available for specific proteins.

Should I stop antihistamines before testing? Only if specifically advised by your healthcare provider beforehand.

How accurate is this blood test? Sensitivity ranges 70-90% and specificity 50-80% when combined with clinical symptoms.

More Details

What is the purpose of this test?

This blood test detects and measures specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to whole egg proteins in your blood serum. Using advanced ImmunoCAP™ technology (Thermo Fisher Scientific), it quantifies your immune system's response to egg allergens, helping confirm or rule out egg allergy sensitization. The test provides numerical IgE levels that healthcare providers use alongside your symptoms to make accurate allergy diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans (Mayo Clinic 2022).

Who would benefit from this test?

Individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after egg consumption benefit most from this testing. Parents should consider testing children who develop eczema, respiratory issues, or gastrointestinal problems potentially linked to egg exposure. People with family histories of food allergies or those considering immunotherapy for suspected egg allergies also find this test valuable. Health-conscious consumers seeking preventive screening can use this test to identify hidden food sensitivities before they cause serious reactions (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 2025).

When should I order this test?

Order this test when you experience symptoms within minutes to hours after eating eggs or egg-containing foods. Common symptoms include tingling around the mouth, swelling, abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, hives, congestion, or breathing difficulties. Severe reactions like anaphylaxis require immediate medical attention and subsequent allergy testing. Healthcare providers may also recommend this test before starting immunotherapy or when distinguishing between food allergies and intolerances (Thermo Fisher Scientific 2025).

How do I interpret the results?

IgE 0.10–0.34 kU/L

What it means: Very low/borderline sensitization
Typical action: Clinical correlation needed

IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L

What it means: Low sensitization
Typical action: Monitor symptoms, possible avoidance

IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L

What it means: Moderate sensitization
Typical action: Likely egg avoidance recommended

IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L

What it means: High sensitization
Typical action: Strict egg avoidance advised

IgE 17.5–49.9 kU/L

What it means: Very high sensitization
Typical action: Emergency action plan needed

IgE ≥50.0 kU/L

What it means: Extremely high sensitization
Typical action: Specialist referral recommended

Higher IgE levels suggest greater likelihood of allergic reactions, but cannot predict severity - clinical evaluation remains essential.

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 for this blood test. You can eat normally and take medications as prescribed. Avoid stopping antihistamines unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider, as this may affect interpretation in certain clinical contexts. The blood draw requires no fasting and can be performed at any time of day at participating laboratories or through at-home collection services (Cleveland Clinic 2025).

How often should I get tested?

Initial allergy diagnosis – Once, with clinical correlation
Monitoring immunotherapy progress – Every 6–12 months
Reassessing childhood allergies – Every 1–2 years
Symptom changes – As clinically indicated
Before reintroducing eggs – Discuss timing with allergist

Why early detection matters

Egg allergy affects 1-2% of children, making it one of the most common early childhood food allergies. Early and accurate detection prevents emergency visits related to anaphylaxis and avoids unnecessary dietary restrictions that can impact nutrition and quality of life. Identifying egg allergies early allows families to develop proper emergency action plans, learn to read food labels effectively, and access appropriate immunotherapy options when available (StatPearls 2015).