Understanding Food Allergy Testing: The IgG4/IgE Food Panel
Food allergies affect up to 80% of people in Western societies, contributing to various health issues affecting the skin, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract. These allergic reactions are often delayed, meaning symptoms may not appear until hours or even days after consuming a triggering food. This delay makes it difficult to identify the culprit foods through traditional elimination diets, which can be time-consuming and challenging.
What is an IgG4/IgE Food Panel?
The IgG4/IgE food panel is an advanced and reliable screening test designed to detect both acute and delayed food allergies across a wide range of foods. Scientific studies suggest that the combination of IgE and IgG4 testing provides a more accurate correlation with food allergies than skin testing alone. In fact, for individuals with a well-documented history of reactions to certain foods, IgE and IgG4 levels are more closely aligned with real-life experiences than traditional challenge tests.
Additionally, for delayed allergic reactions that involve factors beyond IgE responses, a more extended period of elimination and reintroduction may be necessary to confirm the allergy.
What Foods Are Tested?
The 96-Food IgG4 Panel includes a broad spectrum of commonly consumed foods across various categories, ensuring a thorough assessment of potential allergens.
Dairy
- Casein Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
- Cow’s Milk
- Goat’s Milk
- Whey
Fruits
- Apple
- Apricot
- Banana
- Blueberry
- Cranberry
- Grape
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Orange
- Papaya
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
Fish, Crustaceans, and Mollusks
- Clam
- Cod
- Crab
- Halibut
- Lobster
- Red Snapper
- Salmon
- Scallop
- Shrimp
- Sole
- Trout
- Tuna
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Beet
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprout
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Garlic
- Lettuce
- Mushroom
- Olive
- Onion
- Pepper
- Green Bell
- Green Pea
- Potato
- Sweet Potato
- White Pumpkin
- Spinach
- Tomato
Meat and Poultry
- Beef
- Chicken
- Egg White
- Egg Yolk
- Lamb
- Pork
- Turkey
Grains, Legumes, and Nuts
- Almond
- Barley Bean
- Kidney Bean
- Lima Bean
- Pinto Bean
- Soybean
- Buckwheat
- Chestnut
- Chickpea
- Coconut
- Corn
- Flaxseed
- Green Bean
- Gliadin (Wheat)
- Gluten (Wheat)
- Hazelnut
- Lentil
- Oat
- Peanut
- Pecan
- White Rice
- Rye
- Sesame Seed
- Spelt
- Sunflower Seed
- Walnut
- Whole Wheat
- White Bean
Miscellaneous
- Cocoa Bean
- Coffee Bean
- Honey
- Sugar Cane
- Baker’s Yeast
- Brewer’s Yeast
- Ginger
- Oregano
Who Should Consider This Test?
Food allergies and intolerances can manifest in a variety of ways, often affecting different organ systems. The IgG4/IgE Food Panel is particularly useful for individuals suffering from:
- Skin Conditions: Eczema, Urticaria (hives)
- Respiratory Issues: Asthma, Rhinitis, Sinusitis
- Digestive Disorders: Crohn’s Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Constipation, Diarrhea
- Neurological and Behavioral Concerns: Migraines, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Emotional and Behavioral Problems
- Autoimmune and Chronic Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Metabolic Issues: Obesity
- Recurrent Infections
Conclusion
Food allergies can significantly impact quality of life. The IgG4/IgE Food Panel offers a scientific and reliable method to identify food sensitivities and take proactive steps toward improved health. If you suspect that food allergies are affecting you, consider getting tested to pinpoint the triggers and make informed dietary changes for a healthier future.
Literature
- Ahemed El Rafei et al. Diagnostic value of IgG4 measuements in patients with food allergy. Ann. Allergy. 1989 vol 62, febr. P94-99
