Know Your IgE: Understanding Your Test Results

What do those numbers mean?

IgE is an antibody in your blood that’s produced when an allergic reaction takes place. By testing for this antibody, you can determine the significance of the allergy. The higher the number in your specific IgE blood test report, the more your body has been sensitized to that allergen, which means the higher the likelihood of that allergen being a key cause of your symptoms. With all this information in hand, along with a physical exam and symptom history, your doctor can:

• Rule allergy in or out as the cause of your symptoms
• Focus on other symptom causes when the results are negative
• Identify specific allergy triggers when the results are positive
• Create an effective plan to reduce your exposure to triggers
• Select the right medicines for you