Allergic reactions can cause a lot of discomfort, don’t you think? You can be enjoying yourself at a picnic and then suddenly start sneezing. What’s up with blood tests for allergy testing? How much are they? Let’s get started. You can get the best guide about การ ตรวจ ภูมิแพ้ in this site.
They are detectives who sniff out the clues. The tests look for antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E. IgE is produced by your body when it encounters allergens. The antibodies cause symptoms such as itching and swelling. These IgE-levels can be measured by a blood test to determine what is causing your discomfort.
Why choose blood over skin prick tests? It’s also less invasive. There are no needles that poke into the skin repeatedly. One needle per blood draw. Blood tests may also be recommended if your skin is sensitive or if medications you take could affect skin testing.
Let’s now talk about dollars and cents. What will it cost you? The cost of allergy testing can be very different depending on your location and the lab that you visit. Expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 on average for an extensive panel of allergy testing. Yes, it’s quite a range! It might cost less if you only test for one allergen or two.
Don’t be too optimistic. Insurance may help you cover some of the cost. You should check with your insurance provider to see if they offer coverage. Other plans may only cover a portion of costs.
My friend thought that she had an allergy to her cat, but it turned out the dust mites were responsible! It took her months to blame Whiskers, when she only needed an air purifier or some new bedding. The moral of this story is that knowing what your allergies are can help you save time, stress and even possibly keep your pet around.
What happens in this blood test to get you back on track? The process is pretty simple. A technician will take blood from your forearm (no, vampires are not involved). The sample is sent to another laboratory where it’s analyzed against allergens such as pollen, animal dander and certain foods.
The results are usually available within two weeks. It’s not instantaneous, but it beats playing guessing games. You’ll be able to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms once you have those test results in your hands (or email).
Another tip: While waiting for the results can feel like you’re watching paint dry, it’s well worth it if you’re able to pinpoint what causes your sneezes or hives.
Remember the friend that I spoke of earlier? She has been able to live sneeze free ever since she got her test results and made the necessary adjustments at home.
People often forget to make lifestyle changes after a diagnosis. You’ve got to be your own detective! You’ll want to have an EpiPen on hand at all times if peanuts cause your throat to close faster than Fort Knox.
Let’s not rush ahead. First, a reliable diagnosis using the same old blood tests that we have been discussing today.
Here’s the lowdown on how allergy blood tests work, what you can expect to pay and everything else!