Allergy Blood Testing

Also known as: RAST test; Radioallergosorbent test; Allergy screen

Formal name: Allergen-specific IgE antibody test

Related tests: Total IgE; Complete blood count (CBC); White blood cell differential count; Eosinophil count; Basophil count

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NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.

Sources Used in Current Review

(© 2010). Tips to Remember: Allergic Reactions. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergicreaction.stm through http://www.aaaai.org. Accessed February 2010.

(© 2010). Tips to Remember: Asthma & Allergy Medications. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaallergymedications.stm through http://www.aaaai.org. Accessed February 2010.

Mayo Clinic Staff (2009 June 24). Allergy medications: Know your options. MayoClinic.com [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-medications/AA00037/METHOD=print through http://www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed February 2010.

Hinshaw, W. D. et. al. (Updated 2009 June 02). Hypersensitivity Reactions, Delayed. eMedicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/136118-overview through http://emedicine.medscape.com. Accessed February 2010.

Anand, M. and Routes, J. (Updated 2009 June 16).Hypersensitivity Reactions, Immediate. eMedicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/136217-overview through http://emedicine.medscape.com. Accessed February 2010.

Mayo Clinic Staff (2009 April 03). Allergy Skin Tests. MayoClinic.com [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-tests/MY00131/METHOD=print through http://www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed February 2010.

(© 2009). Tips to Remember: What is Allergy Testing? American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm through http://www.aaaai.org. Accessed February 2010.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO.

Sicherer, S. (1999, January 15). Manifestations of Food Allergy: Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician [On-line serial]. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/afp/990115ap/415.html through http://www.aafp.org.

American Academy of Family Physicians (1999, January 15). Food Allergies: Just the Facts. American Family Physician [On-line serial]. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/afp/990115ap/990115f.html through http://www.aafp.org.

ARUP. Immunoglobulin E. Guide to Clinical Laboratory Testing [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.aruplab.com/guides/clt/tests/clt_ijk4.htm through http://www.aruplab.com.

Sicherer, S. (2001, April 5th last update). Food Allergy Testing: Questions and Answers. Food Allergy News Reprint [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.foodallergy.org/topics_archive/testing.html through http://www.foodallergy.org.

Formanek, R. (2001, July-August). Food Allergies: When Food Becomes the Enemy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Consumer magazine [On-line serial]. Available online at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/401_food.html through http://www.fda.gov.

MEDLINEplus (2002, January 2, Updated). Allergies. MEDLINEplus Health Information [On-line Information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000812.htm.

MEDLINEplus (2002, January 2, Updated). Allergy testing. MEDLINEplus Health Information [On-line Information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003519.htm.

WAO [2000-2002]. Overview of Allergy, Its Diagnosis and Treatment. World Allergy Organization [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.worldallergy.org/public/descriptions_of_allergies/overview.shtml through http://www.worldallergy.org.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (1998 February). Something in the Air: Airborne Allergens. WebMD [On-line serial]. Available online at http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1680.50308 through http://my.webmd.com.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (1999 January, last revision). Food Allergy and Intolerances. WebMD [On-line serial]. Available online at http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1680.50303 through http://my.webmd.com.