Allergy, Fish (COD) Test
Blood Sample
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About the Codfish allergy test
Fish (Cod) test detects the presence of IgE antibodies in your blood. The presence of higher levels of IgE antibodies is an indication of allergy. Codfish allergy is a prevalent type of food allergy that can result in serious allergic reactions in some people. Codfish can cause an allergic reaction after ingestion or only from contact, allergic reactions to codfish have even happened after kissing someone who had just eaten the fish. Therefore, undergoing a codfish allergy test will confirm a codfish allergy diagnosis and helps in the prevention of suffering from severe allergic-related complications.
Symptoms of Codfish allergy
Symptoms of codfish allergy usually occur within 6 hours of eating codfish and may last for several weeks. The symptoms range from mild to severe and commonly include
Headache
Skin rash
Stomach pain
Chest tightness
Coughing
Dizziness
Nausea
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Wheezing
Runny nose
Difficulty in breathing
Hives
Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
Who should get tested?
Codfish allergy testing is recommended for individuals who experience the symptoms of an allergic reaction after consuming the following food items
-
Imitation fish or shellfish
-
Fish oil
-
Frozen fish sticks or patties
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Bouillabaisse
-
Salad dressing
-
Surimi (minced fish paste)
Preparation for the test
No special preparation or fasting is required for this test.
How Codfish allergy can be diagnosed?
IgE-type antibody blood test: This allergy blood test analyses your blood for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When we may be allergic to a certain food, like codfish, our body responds by producing IgE antibodies.
Elimination diet: You will be instructed to cut out codfish from your diet for one to two weeks before reintroducing it one at a time. When you consume codfish again and get allergy symptoms after not experiencing any during this time, it may be due to a codfish allergy. If you've experienced a severe response to codfish, you cannot utilise this procedure safely.
Skin test: A little amount of food containing gelatin that resembles codfish is applied to your skin after being poked with a needle. If you are allergic to codfish, you will experience an allergic reaction such as a raised bump on the skin surface where the food was placed.
- Food diary: Your doctor might suggest that you keep a food diary of your daily eating habits, health issues, and prescription medications. You'll keep track of any allergic responses you experience, and your doctor may make a more accurate diagnosis with the use of this information.
Interpretation of test results
The relative amount of IgE antibody to specific fish components can help identify the strength and type of allergenic response.
| Class | IgE kU/L | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | < 0.10 | Negative |
| 0/1 | 0.10 – 0.34 | Borderline/Equivocal |
| 1 | 0.35 – 0.69 | Equivocal |
| 2 | 0.70 – 3.49 | Positive |
| 3 | 3.50 – 17.4 | Positive |
| 4 | 17.5 – 49.9 | Strongly positive |
| 5 | 50.0 – 99.9 | Strongly positive |
| 6 | > or = 100 | Strongly positive |
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
- The likelihood of developing an allergic disease is increased by the presence of IgE antibodies in serum (Class 1 or greater).
- Higher total IgE level is typically a sign that you have one or more allergies such as codfish allergy.
- Increased IgE levels are occasionally linked to parasitic infections.
FAQs on Codfish allergy testing
The codfish allergy test screens your blood's concentration of particular IgE antibodies. These antibodies are an immunological reaction to particular allergens in seafood. This test measures the immune system's reactions to the allergens in codfish and may reveal a codfish allergy.
There are no known risks. During a blood test, one may experience minor pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms will subside quickly.
Test results of an IgE-based blood test are usually available after 5 working days, although it could take longer at times.
The muscle protein parvalbumin, a calcium-binding protein, is the main allergen in codfish. An allergic person's immune system reacts when they consume codfish or come into contact with it directly through the skin. The immune system creates IgE antibodies to fight off these allergens because it perceives certain proteins or chemicals as dangerous. Unfortunately, these antibodies lead to the release of the chemical histamine, which results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
It is important to stay away from all fish and fish products in order to avoid an allergic reaction. Before consuming anything you haven't cooked yourself, always read the ingredients on the food label and ask questions about the components. Restaurants serving fish should be avoided because of the likelihood of food contamination. Going to fish markets and touching fish are likewise bad ideas. Being near any location where fish is being cooked puts you in danger since the steam may include fish protein.
Also, avoid the following ingredients and foods in your day-to-day life:
- Fish Flavourings
- Fish gelatin is made from the skin and bones of fish
- Fish oil
- Fish sticks
Codfish allergy test
