Galactose-Alpha-1,3-Galactose (Alpha-Gal) IgE

Overview:

Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule present in most mammals but not in people. Some individuals develop IgE antibodies against it, usually after a bite from certain ticks, and afterward react to beef, pork, lamb and other mammal products. The reaction is unusual among food allergies because it is typically delayed, appearing three to six hours after eating rather than within minutes, which can make the cause difficult to identify. This test measures how much alpha-gal IgE is present in the blood. Antibody results are interpreted together with a person's symptom history, since antibodies can be present without causing reactions.

Categories:

Immune, Allergies

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker