Shrimp IgE Test - More Information

This shrimp IgE test, also known as a shrimp allergy test and a shrimp IgE blood test, measures the shrimp IgE antibody blood level.

This shrimp IgE test uses the ImmunoCAP® lab methodology. IgE blood test results are reported in kU/L and can be compared against the IgE antibody reference range provided by the lab to determine the IgE allergy class to shrimp. Regardless of reference ranges, however, shrimp IgE lab test levels cannot be used in isolation as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of a disease and all results should be evaluated in conjunction with a licensed medical provider.

Shrimp is a type of crustacean that is eaten worldwide by both animals and humans. Because of its widespread human consumption, shrimp farming has become a large commercial industry. Shrimp are eaten frozen or, at times, live. Shrimp meat contains protein, omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. Shrimp are sometimes loosely referred to as prawns.

This shrimp allergy blood test is less painful and has less side effects than historical allergy testing methods such as the skin prick test (SPT). In the skin prick, or scratch, test, serum containing shrimp components are injected into the skin. If you are allergic to shrimp, you will, unfortunately, have a mild allergic reaction and all of the symptoms that go with it. Instead, this allergy blood test can check for a shrimp allergy without causing an allergic reaction, resulting in a much more comfortable lab testing experience through a simple blood draw.

The shrimp allergy blood test is a component of the food allergy blood panel.