Food Sensitivity+ (Foods, Inhalants, Molds, Spices and Celiac)-Genova Kit:
Note: This is a test kit that will be mailed to you. It requires a blood draw. It is your responsibility to arrange the blood draw for your kit and payment of your specimen collection.
Fasting Required: No
Lab: Genova Diagnostics
Specimen: Blood
Results: Average processing time 7 business days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.
Special Instructions: Interfering factors to the antibody test: Glucocorticosteroids (e.g. oral prednisone and/or steroid metered-dose inhaler), chemotherapy, other immunosuppressive agents, NSAIDS, anticonvulsants, Omalizumab and Heparin. Non-interfering factors to the antibody test: antibiotics, antihistamines, and antidepressants. Test may be inaccurate if the patient has liver damage or HIV infection.
It is recommended that a child be at least 1 year old before testing for IgG antibodies in order to eliminate the possibility of maternal antibodies influencing the results. Studies are lacking on the transfer of food-specific antibodies and/or the clinical significance of these maternal antibodies measured in the child's serum. IgE antibodies do not cross the placenta, so there is no age restriction for IgE testing. According to Medscape, "For immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated allergy, there is no minimum age for testing, although it is important to consider age-related changes in patterns of sensitization. Sensitization to foods can occur in babies who are only a few weeks old. On contrast, it is unusual to develop sensitization to respiratory allergens before 2 or 3 years of age. Furthermore, in preschoolers, sensitization to indoor allergens (e.g., cat, dog, dust mites) is more common than sensitization to pollens. Considering these patterns, it is certainly reasonable to test children for food-specific IgE in early infancy if the history suggests food allergy."
Description: Genova’s antibody testing helps to identify the body’s immune response to foods and environmental triggers with a simple blood draw. Some symptoms happen immediately after eating that food, while others may be delayed by several hours or days. It can be challenging to connect these delayed food reactions back to the problematic food; testing can help uncover these “hidden” food sensitivities.
Every food test comes with a personalized summary of reactive foods. This can help your provider develop a tailored food plan specific to your needs and symptoms.
Analytes Included:
- IgG Food Antibodies is an ELISA test that provides insight into delayed reactions/sensitivities to specific foods. Additionally, the IgG Food Antibody Assessment includes information on implementing an Elimination Diet based on the patient test results.
- IgE Food Antibodies Profile analyzes serum levels of total IgE antibodies for 19 combined foods and total IgE.
- IgE Inhalants is a chemiluminescent test to evaluate serum IgE antibody levels to 14 region specific common pollens and environmental inhalants. It is an ideal test for patients with suspected environmental and/or seasonal allergies.
- IgE Mold is a chemiluminescent test to evaluate serum IgE antibody levels to 15 molds. It is an ideal test for patients with suspected environmental allergies specific to molds.
- IgG Spices utilizes ELISA technology to evaluate serum for levels of IgG and total IgE antibodies for 24 frequently used culinary herbs and spices. It is an ideal test for patients with suspected intolerance to spices and herbs.
- Celiac Profile includes; Total IgA, tTG IgA & IgG, DGP IgA & IgG, EMA IgA
Please see individual tests for analytes tested information.