Around 20% of the population develop an allergic sensitisation. The laboratory is able to detect immediate hypersensitivity by determining specific IgE in serum.

The laboratory’s method of suggesting evidence of an IgE sensitivity depends on how likely it is that you have an allergy, before you choose to undergo the test.

If you wish to exclude an allergic component from a current problem (e.g. in the case of a cold in the springtime, distinguishing a viral cause from an allergic one), a general test such as Phadiatop or Sx1 will enable you to rule out an atopic relationship with a high level of probability.

If you wish to confirm a likely sensitivity to an allergen (e.g. birch pollen or peanut), the detection of a specific serum IgE using allergen extracts will confirm the sensitivity, or – depending on the concentration of a specific IgE – even the likelihood of a clinical reaction, which may differ from allergen to allergen.

If you wish to gauge the prospects of success of a specific immunotherapy (desensitisation), assess cross-reactions between families of allergens or estimate the risk of severe reactions to particular foods, specific IgE analyses against molecular allergen components offer the best in-vitro method. They reduce the need for exposure tests, however they do require an assessment by a specialist.

Likewise, the extensive analysis of sensitisations using multiparameter tests (ISAC, ALEX, etc.) should remain reserved for polyallergic patients whose multiple clinical questions require answers.

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