Allergy Test Types (IgE, IgG & Phadiatop), Purpose & Price [2024]
An Allergy blood test is a set of examinations conducted by a healthcare professional to know whether your body’s immune system is overreacting to a particular substance (allergen) in the environment. This test involves exposing you to a very small amount of a particular allergen and recording the reaction. There are different allergy tests, the price of which vary from Rs 700 to Rs 1500.
There are three ways of conducting this test-
- Blood test
- Skin prick test
- Diet changes
This article will talk about different Allergy tests. There is information about the need, procedure, risks involved, symptoms, cost, and a lot more. We will talk about three different tests which include-
- IgE test
- IgG test
- Phadiatop test
Allergy Test Details in Brief
| Also Known As | Allergy Profile Test, Comprehensive Allergy Panel, Allergy Screening Test |
| Purpose | To identify allergic reactions and their causes to treat them appropriately and prevent triggers in future. |
| Preparation | Overnight fasting may be preferred |
| Reporting Time | 24- 72 hours |
| Cost | Rs. 700 to Rs. 1500 |
Allergy Test Price
The price of Allergy Tests of different types usually ranges from Rs 700 to Rs 1500. The actual price depends on the diagnostic center and the city. Bookmerilab partners with more than 657 diagnostic centers across India. We provide a 10-50% discount on medical diagnostic tests.
Cost In Popular Diagnostic Centres
The table below lists the prices in different centers. You can click on the ‘price’ in the respective column to get the list of diagnostic centers in your city with their price and discount.
| Name of Lab | IgE Test Price | IgG Test Price | Phadiatop Test Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redcliffe Labs | Rs 830 | Rs 385 | Rs 950 |
| Thyrocare | Rs 520 | Rs 750 | N.A. |
| Metropolis Healthcare | Rs 2000 | Rs 1500 | N.A. |
| SRL Diagnostics | Rs 1000 | Rs 700 | Rs 1150 |
| Dr Lal Path labs | Rs 830 | Rs 350 | Rs 950 |
| Vijaya Diagnostics | Rs 810 | Rs 600 | Rs 1100 |
Cost in different cities
The table below lists the prices in different cities. You can click on the ‘price’ in the respective column to get the list of diagnostic centers in your city with their price and discount.
| City | IgE Test Price | IgG Test Price | Phadiatop Test Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Rs 390 to Rs 1400 | Rs 350 to Rs 1600 | Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 |
| Mumbai | Rs 390 to Rs 1200 | Rs 350 to Rs 500 | Rs 950 to Rs 1000 |
| Bangalore | Rs 600 to Rs 900 | Rs 500 to Rs 850 | Rs 840 to Rs 1200 |
| Hyderabad | Rs 300 to Rs 1200 | Rs 300 to Rs 1000 | Rs 1000 to Rs 2500 |
| Gurgaon | Rs 390 to Rs 950 | Rs 400 to Rs 500 | Rs 1000 to Rs 1100 |
| Chennai | Rs 300 to Rs 400 | Rs 450 to Rs 700 | N.A. |
| Kolkata | Rs 300 to Rs 400 | Rs 350 to Rs 700 | N.A. |
Purpose of Allergy testing
According to the National Health Portal of India, approximately 20-30% of Indians suffer from at least one allergic disease. Out of this, about 15% develop asthma. Allergy testing can help identify the specific allergen (or allergens). This information may be helpful in preventing the trigger or for better treatment of the allergy. Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis) and hence need a proper diagnosis for prevention.
Doctors also perform allergy tests on people who have asthma. The test can identify allergy triggers that can worsen asthma symptoms or bring on an asthma attack.
When To Get Tested?
A person should get the IgE test as soon as they observe the following symptoms-
- Dermatitis (Periodic or persistent itching).
- Hives(itchy and lumpy rashes).
- Itchy eyes
- Eczema
- Nausea
- vomiting
- persistent diarrhoea
- Sneezing
- coughing
- congestion
- wheezing
- breathlessness
Preparation
Do inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine, both prescription and non-prescription, ayurvedic, etc. Your doctor may advise you to stop the ones that can affect the test results, like anti-allergics or antihistamines. DO NOT stop any medication on your own.
During an Allergy test, Overnight fasting is preferred.
Procedure
It is a fairly simple diagnostic blood test. A blood sample is taken from the vein in your arm or hand by the following steps-
- A technician (phlebotomist) may tie a tourniquet (elastic band) to your arm.
- The phlebotomist will locate your blood vessel.
- The site is cleaned with spirit.
- A Needle is inserted into your vein to draw the blood.
- A Blood sample is then withdrawn into a syringe or a vial.
- Cotton is placed on the puncture site with mild pressure till the bleeding stops.
- A small band-aid is then placed which may be removed after an hour.
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.
Risks
It is a very simple and safe test. The risks involved are the same as that in any other blood test. These include-
- Infection at the puncture site if proper sterilization protocol is not followed and the needle is contaminated. This is, however, very rare. You may ensure that your phlebotomist takes out the needle in front of you from a sterile pack.
- Multiple pricks if the blood vessel is not easily found
- Excessive bleeding at the puncture site- Please inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any blood thinners or have any bleeding disorders.
- Light-headedness due to stress or heavy bleeding.
Minor pain and bruising that might occur will resolve on their own in a very short time.
Types of Allergy Tests
There is a long list of allergens and hence many associated tests. We have discussed 3 basic yet very important tests below.
1) IgE Allergy Test
What Is An IgE?
IgE or Immunoglobulin E is an antibody produced by the body’s immune system against environmental antigens like pollens, pet dander, and parasitic infestation. When an allergen enters the body, IgE antibodies attach to the surface of mast cells and basophils, which are types of white blood cells. This causes the mast cells and basophils to release chemicals, such as histamine, which cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction. IgE antibodies which are mostly associated with allergic reactions are found in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. In some cases, excessive production of IgE can actually weaken the immune response and lead to health problems. Therefore, it is important for the body to maintain a balance of IgE in order to keep the immune system functioning properly.
How Does The IgE Allergy Test Work?
The Serum IgE test measures the level of IgE antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are normally present in the body in small amounts. When the body overreacts to allergens, the presence of these antibodies increases. This test helps identify allergic diseases, primary immunodeficiencies, infections, malignancies, or other inflammatory diseases.
IgG Allergy Test
What Is IgG?
IgG or Immunoglobulin G is the most abundant type of antibody in the body, and it plays a crucial role in protecting against infections. IgG antibodies are found in all body fluids and are the only type of antibody that can pass through the placenta, providing immunity to a developing foetus. By binding to many kinds of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, IgG protects the body from infection.
What Does This Allergy Test Measure?
The IgG test checks for the number of IgG antibodies in the bloodstream which can indicate whether a person has developed an allergy to a specific substance. This test can be useful for identifying food intolerance/ sensitivity and other allergies that may not cause immediate symptoms.
When To Get Tested?
One should opt for this test if one witnesses the following symptoms-
- bloating
- fullness
- belly pain
- gas or flatulence
- diarrhoea
Feeling uneasy after eating some kind of food is a clear indication to opt for an IgG allergy test. In this case, there are clear symptoms of food intolerance from a substance you often consume daily.
Phadiatop Allergy Test
What Is It?
The Phadiatop test is an allergy screening test with excellent sensitivity and specificity for inhalant allergy. It uses an ImmunoCAP with a balanced mixture of representative allergens, including grasses, trees, weeds, hair of cats, dogs, horses, mites, house dust, etc.
What Does It Measure?
The test measures IgE antibodies to a well-balanced mixture of common inhalant allergens and helps rule in or out atopic allergy, a tendency to produce IgE-mediated response to allergen(s) in the environment. It also helps identify patients who need specific IgE testing with whole allergens to help identify the symptom-provoking allergens and determine the appropriate treatment for them.
When To Get Tested?
Allergic asthma or rhinitis, also known as hay fever marked by symptoms like sneezing, runny and itchy nose, chest congestion, coughing, headache, etc may be major symptoms that indicate the need for this test. This test especially detects lung disease-related respiratory or inhalational allergies. Phadiatop test efficiently detects sensitization to common aeroallergen mixes.
Facts About Phadiatop Test
- It can be performed irrespective of a patient’s age, skin condition, medication, symptom, disease activity, pregnancy, and even in early infancy.
- Poses no risk for anaphylaxis.
- Is not subject to interference by exogenous biotin supplementation.
However, an appropriate ImmunoCAP Specific IgE test is necessary and recommended by professionals.
Results
IgE Allergy Test – The total IgE test result that is high means that there is some kind of allergy but not what is the cause of the allergy. A specific IgE test can help identify the cause (i.e. the specific allergen).
IgG Allergy Test– If the test is being used to diagnose a current food allergy, a positive result (meaning that IgG antibodies to a specific food are present in the blood) would indicate that the person has been exposed to that food and has developed an immune response to it. This would suggest that the person has a food allergy to that particular food. A negative may be interpreted as indicating that the person has not been previously exposed to that food and therefore may not be at risk of developing a food allergy to it.
Phadiatop Test gives a qualitative positive or negative result depending on the fluorescence response. A positive test result is when the patient’s sample gives a fluorescence response higher than or equal to that of the reference serum. On the contrary, a patient sample with a lower fluorescence response indicates a negative test result.
Limitations
It is important to note that a negative result does not necessarily mean that a person is not currently allergic to a substance, as the body may not have had enough time to produce detectable levels of relevant antibodies. Additionally, some allergies may not produce detectable levels of antibodies, so a negative result does not necessarily rule out the possibility of an allergy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, allergy blood tests can be useful for diagnosing allergies and determining a person’s risk of developing an allergy. However, it is important to interpret the results carefully and in the context of the person’s overall medical history and symptoms.
Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2205147/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5952015/
FAQs
Both blood and skin allergy tests can detect a patient’s sensitivity to common inhalants like pollen and dust mites or to medicines, certain foods, latex, venom, or other substances. Skin testing is the preferred method used by trained allergists, and is usually the most accurate.
You can get an IgE, IgG, and phadiatop test to identify an allergy. You can also get a skin test to detect allergies.
The symptoms of allergy include –
-Sneezing and itchy, stuffy, or runny nose (allergic rhinitis)
-Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, or roof of the mouth.
-Itchy, red, watery or swollen eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
-Facial swelling, swollen lips, tongue (angioedema)
-Itchy skin.
-Skin rashes (allergic contact dermatitis, eczema)
-Hives.
-Cough.
Phadiatop test is an allergy screening test with excellent sensitivity and specificity for inhalant allergy. It uses an ImmunoCAP with a balanced mixture of representative allergens, including grasses, trees, weeds, cat, dog, mites and molds.
How to book an Allergy Blood Test?
Dr Garima Saroj
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.