Interpreting IgE results: Important notes for providers
Although the use of component IgE testing may enhance the evaluation of potentially allergic individuals over the use of whole extracts alone, it cannot yet replace clinical history or oral food challenge in most cases. Clinical history, patient's age, and presence of comorbidities (such as atopic dermatitis) must be incorporated into the diagnostic determination.
If a food is tolerated in the patient's diet on a regular basis, detectable food-specific IgE does not confer allergy to that food.2 If allergy to a specific food is suspected based on clinical history, an undetectable food-specific IgE does not exclude allergy to that food.