Other
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
CONVERT & COMPARE
IU/mL
=
107
kU/L
About Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
An allergy blood test measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) in your blood. Antibodies are proteins your immune system makes to fight foreign substances called antigens, such as viruses and bacteria. But sometimes the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance, such as pollen or peanuts, as a dangerous antigen. These harmless substances are known as allergens.
It's normal to have small amounts of IgE in your blood. But your body makes more IgE than usual when it overreacts to allergens. This causes inflammation in your body, which leads to allergy symptoms.
There are many possible causes of allergies. Common allergens include pollen, dust, mold, and animal dander. Certain foods (such as nuts and shellfish) and certain medicines (such as penicillin) can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
Allergy symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the type of allergy you have. Symptoms may include itching, sneezing, a runny nose, a rash, hives, asthma, or even a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Useful for
An allergy blood test is used to help find out if you have an allergy.
A total IgE test measures the total amount of IgE antibodies in your blood.
A specific IgE test measures how much IgE your body makes in response to a single allergen. This test is done for each suspected allergen.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Interpretation
A total IgE test result that is high means that you may have some kind of allergy. But the results of a total IgE test don't show what you are allergic to or how serious your allergy may be.
A specific IgE test result that is high means that you may be allergic to the allergen that was tested. But the amount of IgE measured doesn't predict how serious your allergy may be. If you find out that you're allergic to a certain allergen, your provider can recommend ways to help you avoid it. Your provider may also refer you to an allergy specialist or recommend treatment.
For general wellness information only. Talk to a clinician about your specific results.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
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Sources
Last updated 2026-05-02
This page presents source-specific reference data and sourced explanations. For general wellness information only. This is not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.