Blood Testing

[notashrimpwimp]

I did a search but all I found was a discussion of false negative skin tests.

As a kid, I've had reactions to multiple allergens and some of them have required epi-pens. I took the skin prick test several times and it's reflected my reactions to shrimp and nuts, reactions observed and diagnosed by physicians.

When it comes to the blood tests? Whole 'nother story. I typically have high IgE but the specific allergens are either low or nonexistent. This has been consistent since I've taken them.

Can you seriously have false negatives in blood tests? Do you or your loved ones have them?

[Ciel]

I am in the middle of trying to sort this out for myself.

I have a history of anaphylaxis and reactions but all blood tests are negative. In my case, all skin tests are also negative. And my total IgE is very low.

I don't have any answers for you though. I am equally confused

[StridAst]

I did a search but all I found was a discussion of false negative skin tests.

As a kid, I've had reactions to multiple allergens and some of them have required epi-pens. I took the skin prick test several times and it's reflected my reactions to shrimp and nuts, reactions observed and diagnosed by physicians.

When it comes to the blood tests? Whole 'nother story. I typically have high IgE but the specific allergens are either low or nonexistent. This has been consistent since I've taken them.

Can you seriously have false negatives in blood tests? Do you or your loved ones have them?

How low are we talking here.  I still get mild allergic reactions down to 0.34 with crab.  My absolute highest food was chickpeas at 4.22.  second highest was peanuts at 3.56. both I react violently to.  Soy is down near 1 and I react.  There are as I understand, many cases out there people don't react to something at 15.  The IgE numbers don't always correlate to reactions.  I think it's around 0.35/uL that it's considered a positive test. 

I've had a lot of blood tests, as my skin is wayyyy too hypersensitive.  I flare up to everything that breaks my skin, (usually even the saline negative control) so it's difficult to identify my allergies with SPT.

[spacecanada]

Hi, nice to see you again!  I hope all is going well for you.

I've had false negatives on blood tests too.  The blood test isn't much more accurate than the skin prick test and there's a 5-10% chance of a false negative - per my allergist.  Allergists must rely on reaction history over test results, as test results aren't overly reliable on their own.  The only true test is an in-office oral food challenge.  (Double blind would be best, but single blind is pretty good too if anxiety is at all a factor.)

[YouKnowWho]

We had a crazy allergist who was adamant that DS1 was skinny because he was eating foods he was allergic to so she went on a fishing expedition via blood and spt...

He tests positive to wheat, rye, barley, rice, corn, oats, soy, dairy, peanuts and the majority of tree nuts via both tests.

He only has reactions to wheat, rye, barley and egg.  (FWIW, I reintroduced the majority of his "allergens" that he had been eating prior with no issue - we did challenge peanuts and tree nuts with the new allergist.  He had prior issues with straight milk but tolerated milk based products).

This allergist was coo coo for cocoa puffs.  But she is also the reason that I research, research, RESEARCH allergists prior to make sure they have a clue about food allergies and are not environmental allergists parading as food allergy specialists.