Food Allergy Profile With Reflexes

The Food Allergy Profile With Reflexes test contains 1 test with 15 biomarkers .

Brief Description: The Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes is a comprehensive diagnostic panel designed to assess a patient’s immune response to a variety of common food allergens. This test evaluates the presence of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood, which are produced by the immune system in response to exposure to specific foods. The test incorporates a reflex process, meaning that if any results indicate abnormal or elevated IgE levels, additional testing or confirmation steps may be automatically performed to provide a more thorough analysis. This reflexive component enhances the accuracy and clinical utility of the test by ensuring follow-up testing when initial results warrant further investigation.
This panel helps healthcare providers identify potential food allergies that could trigger mild to severe allergic reactions, including skin issues, gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory symptoms, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. By targeting several of the most common food allergens, this profile offers a well-rounded view of a patient’s allergic sensitivities, helping to guide dietary modifications, allergy management plans, and further diagnostic evaluations.

Collection Method: Blood Draw 
Specimen Type: Serum 

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When and Why the Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes May Be Ordered

The Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes may be ordered when a healthcare provider suspects that a patient is experiencing allergic reactions to certain foods. Symptoms that may prompt ordering this test include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, throat tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or anaphylaxis after consuming certain foods. The test may also be considered for individuals with chronic symptoms such as eczema, asthma, or gastrointestinal distress that may be linked to food allergies.
This panel is particularly useful when patients present with a complex or unclear allergic history involving multiple foods or when they experience severe or systemic reactions. It can also be used to evaluate children with a family history of food allergies, as well as adults with newly developed food sensitivities. Because the reflex process ensures follow-up testing if necessary, this panel is often used when a high degree of diagnostic certainty is required, such as in cases where there is concern about severe allergic reactions.
In some cases, the test may be part of a broader workup for individuals with suspected atopic conditions (conditions associated with heightened immune responses, such as asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis), where food allergies may play a contributing role. This test helps clarify which specific foods trigger immune responses, allowing for personalized dietary recommendations and appropriate allergy management.

What the Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes Checks For

The Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes detects allergen-specific IgE antibodies associated with various common foods. Each marker within the panel corresponds to a specific food and measures the immune system’s production of IgE antibodies in response to that food. The presence of elevated IgE levels indicates sensitization, which may be associated with allergic symptoms when the food is consumed. Below is a description of what each marker in the panel evaluates:

Almond IgE

This marker measures IgE antibodies specific to almond proteins. Almonds are tree nuts, a common allergen category known to trigger allergic reactions ranging from mild oral allergy symptoms to severe anaphylaxis. Almond allergy can occur on its own or alongside other tree nut allergies.

Cashew Nut IgE

Cashew nuts are among the most allergenic tree nuts. Cashew allergies are often severe and can trigger reactions at very low exposure levels. This marker evaluates the immune response to cashew proteins, which are distinct from those in other nuts, making specific testing important for accurate diagnosis.

Codfish IgE

Codfish allergy is a common form of fish allergy, especially in children. This test measures IgE antibodies directed against cod proteins. Fish allergies can result in severe reactions and often persist into adulthood. Cod is one of the more allergenic fish species, and individuals allergic to cod may also react to other types of fish due to cross-reactivity.

Cow's Milk IgE

This marker evaluates the immune response to proteins found in cow’s milk, including casein and whey. Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common childhood food allergies. Symptoms can range from skin reactions and gastrointestinal distress to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Egg White IgE

This test measures IgE antibodies against proteins in egg whites. Egg allergy is particularly common in young children and often outgrown, though some individuals retain the allergy into adulthood. Egg allergy can present with skin reactions, respiratory symptoms, and gastrointestinal issues.

Hazelnut IgE

Hazelnuts are another common tree nut allergen. This test evaluates immune responses to hazelnut proteins, which can cause symptoms ranging from oral allergy syndrome to systemic reactions. Hazelnut allergy may occur in individuals with birch pollen allergy due to cross-reactivity.

Peanut IgE

Peanut allergy is one of the most common and severe food allergies, with reactions ranging from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. This test measures IgE antibodies against peanut proteins, which are distinct from tree nuts, though cross-reactivity can occur.

Salmon IgE

Salmon is a frequently consumed fish, and this test assesses the immune response to its proteins. Fish allergies often involve multiple species, though reactions may be species-specific in some individuals.

Scallop IgE

Shellfish allergies, including allergy to scallops, are common and often lifelong. This test detects IgE antibodies to scallop proteins, which can trigger reactions ranging from gastrointestinal symptoms to anaphylaxis.

Sesame Seed IgE

Sesame allergy is increasingly recognized as a serious allergen and is now classified as a major allergen in the U.S. This test evaluates the immune response to sesame proteins, which can cause reactions even in trace amounts, including in processed foods.

Shrimp IgE

Shrimp is one of the most common shellfish allergens. This test detects IgE antibodies to shrimp proteins, which can cause symptoms ranging from mild oral allergy to severe anaphylaxis. Cross-reactivity with other shellfish species is common.

Soybean IgE

Soy allergy can cause symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe systemic reactions. This marker evaluates the immune response to soy proteins, which are present in a wide variety of processed foods.

Tuna IgE

Tuna is another commonly consumed fish, and this test measures IgE antibodies against tuna proteins. Like with other fish, cross-reactivity can occur, but some individuals may react specifically to tuna.

Walnut IgE

Walnuts are highly allergenic tree nuts, and this test evaluates the immune response to walnut proteins. Walnut allergy can occur independently or alongside other tree nut allergies, often causing severe reactions.

Wheat IgE

This test detects IgE antibodies to wheat proteins, which can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. It is important to distinguish wheat allergy from celiac disease, which involves an autoimmune response to gluten rather than an IgE-mediated allergy. Wheat allergy symptoms can include skin reactions, respiratory symptoms, and anaphylaxis.

How Healthcare Professionals Use the Results of the Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes

Healthcare professionals use the results of the Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes to guide diagnosis, management, and treatment plans for patients with suspected food allergies. Elevated IgE levels indicate sensitization to a particular food, but diagnosis also requires clinical correlation — meaning healthcare providers will consider symptoms, medical history, and potential exposure history alongside test results.
If a patient has positive or borderline results, the reflex process may trigger additional confirmatory testing or component testing to better define the allergy risk. For example, if a patient has positive IgE results for peanuts, component testing could differentiate between mild oral allergy syndrome and severe anaphylaxis risk.
Healthcare professionals use this information to create individualized dietary plans, recommending avoidance of specific allergens while ensuring nutritional adequacy. In some cases, allergists may recommend oral food challenges, conducted under medical supervision, to clarify whether a true allergy exists. The test results also guide education on managing accidental exposures, including the need for emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors.

The Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes provides an in-depth assessment of allergic sensitization to common foods, helping healthcare professionals diagnose and manage food allergies. By measuring IgE responses to multiple foods and incorporating reflexive follow-up testing, this panel ensures accurate and comprehensive results. The information gained from this profile helps healthcare providers develop personalized allergy management plans, guide dietary recommendations, and educate patients on avoiding allergens and managing allergic reactions. As food allergies continue to rise in prevalence, comprehensive diagnostic tools like the Food Allergy Profile with Reflexes are essential for ensuring patient safety and improving quality of life.