IgE-assays are the best-studied and most accepted serologic tests for evaluating food allergy status. However, some clinicians also use IgG tests when evaluating individuals for food allergies, sensitivities, or tolerance. Food-specific IgG is generally believed to be a normal physiological response to food exposures. Therefore, many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, recommend against using IgG testing to diagnose food allergies or food intolerances/sensitivities [1-3].
Quest offers IgG food tests to support providers who use them in their evaluation of patients experiencing adverse reactions to foods.
References:
- AAAAI. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/IgG-food-test. Accessed November 5, 2019.
- Carr S, et al. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010;8:12.3. Stapel SO, et al. Allergy. 2008;63:793-769.