Doctor's Assessment Included
Every result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
Food Allergy Panel
The Food Allergy Panel provides comprehensive IgE screening for common food allergens. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause can influence immune reactivity, potentially affecting food allergy symptoms in women.
What It Measures
This panel measures specific IgE antibodies against multiple food allergens in a single blood draw. Foods tested typically include common allergens such as milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
Why It Matters
Identifying food allergies helps prevent potentially serious allergic reactions and guides dietary management. Early identification of food sensitisation is important for safety planning, especially for allergens that can cause severe reactions.
When to Test
Consider this panel if you experience symptoms such as hives, swelling, digestive upset, or breathing difficulties after eating certain foods, or if you have a personal or family history of allergic conditions. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Lifestyle Tips
If food allergies are confirmed, strict avoidance of identified allergens is the primary strategy. Always read food labels, inform restaurants of your allergies, and carry prescribed emergency medication (such as an adrenaline auto-injector) if indicated by your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a positive IgE result mean I am allergic?
Not necessarily. A positive IgE result shows sensitisation — your immune system has produced antibodies against that food. However, not everyone with sensitisation experiences symptoms. Clinical correlation is needed.
What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
Food allergy involves the immune system (IgE-mediated) and can cause rapid, sometimes severe reactions. Food intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) does not involve IgE antibodies and typically causes digestive symptoms only.
Can food allergies develop in adulthood?
Yes. While many food allergies begin in childhood, new food allergies can develop at any age, including in adulthood. Shellfish and tree nut allergies are particularly common adult-onset allergies.