Blood draw
House dust mite allergy D. farinae (IgE)
Measures IgE antibodies against the house dust mite species D. farinae. An addition to the standard house dust mite test with year-round symptoms.
€ 36,00
All tests
Allergy and intolerance · Blood
IgE antibodies to house dust mite (D. farinae)
Antibodies against the house dust mite species D. farinae; shows whether the immune system is sensitive to this mite, not whether it bothers you.
At a glance
- Measured in blood
- In 1 test panel
- No special preparation
Explanation
IgE antibodies to house dust mite (D. farinae): what is measured?
House dust mites are tiny creatures that live in mattresses, pillows, furniture and carpets and feed on skin flakes; the proteins in their droppings cause the symptoms. There are two common species: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. The standard house dust mite test measures D. pteronyssinus, the species most common in Dutch homes; D. farinae is more common in regions with a drier climate. The proteins of both species are very similar. This test measures the amount of IgE antibodies against D. farinae in the blood, in kU/l.
What can it detect?
- Sensitization to the house dust mite D. farinae: the body has made IgE antibodies against this mite
- An addition to the standard house dust mite test with symptoms that are present all year round, especially indoors and in bed
Result
What does the result mean?
IgE antibodies to house dust mite (D. farinae) too high
A value above the cut-off means that you have IgE antibodies against D. farinae: sensitization. That is not the same as an allergy. With symptoms that are present all year round, such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes or shortness of breath indoors, a positive result fits a house dust mite allergy. Because the two species are very similar, the result of the standard house dust mite test is usually positive as well; the measures against house dust mite are the same for both species. In people without such symptoms, a positive result only means that the antibodies are there; no treatment follows.
IgE antibodies to house dust mite (D. farinae) too low
A value below the cut-off means that no IgE antibodies against this allergen were found. An IgE-mediated allergy to this allergen is then much less likely, although it is not completely ruled out. Symptoms can also come from another allergen that was not tested, or have a non-allergic cause.
After an abnormal result
The GP mainly looks at the history: when and where the symptoms occur, and whether there is also asthma or eczema. With a positive result and matching symptoms, advice follows on having less house dust mite in the home, especially in the bedroom, and if needed medication for the nose or airways. If the symptoms are not brought under control with this, a referral to an ENT specialist, lung specialist or allergist may follow, where immunotherapy may also be discussed.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
A positive IgE result shows sensitization, not allergy: it only says that there are antibodies, not that you get symptoms from them. The Dutch medical specialists' guideline (FMS) on upper airway allergy says this literally and recommends choosing a test for single allergens based on the history of the symptoms; for food allergy, the FMS guideline on food challenge testing calls the history of the symptoms the cornerstone of diagnosis and a food challenge in hospital the gold standard. The result therefore only means something if it fits when, where and after contact with what you get symptoms. A positive result without symptoms is not treated.
What can affect the result?
- Sensitization without symptoms is common; the result can only be interpreted together with the history of the symptoms.
- Related allergens can recognize each other's antibodies (cross-reaction), for example pollen and nuts or fruit; a positive result then does not mean that this particular allergen causes the symptoms.
- The test measures all proteins from the allergen source together; testing for individual proteins (components) can say more in case of doubt.
- Laboratories use different measurement methods and cut-off values; results from different labs cannot be compared one to one.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
Useful with symptoms that are present all year round and are worse indoors, especially in bed or when dusting and tidying. Because the two house dust mite species are very similar, this test usually adds little to the standard house dust mite test; it can help if that result is unclear. In people without such symptoms, the test adds nothing: sensitization without symptoms is not a disease and is not treated.
How common is it?
House dust mite allergy is one of the most common allergies in the Netherlands and causes symptoms that are present all year round. Sensitization is more common than the allergy itself: some people with antibodies have no trouble from them.
Thuisarts.nl and the FMS guideline on upper airway allergy; no Dutch prevalence figure has been checked
Get tested
IgE antibodies to house dust mite (D. farinae): test panels
IgE antibodies to house dust mite (D. farinae) is part of these test panels. You order online and have your blood drawn at a collection point or collect the sample at home.
Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and results- NVKC, allesovertesten.nl: Allergie (RAST)
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase: Allergie van de bovenste luchtwegen, module Aanvullende diagnostiek
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase: Voedselprovocatie, module Plaatsbepaling diagnostiek voedselallergie
- Thuisarts.nl: Ik heb allergie
- Thuisarts.nl: Ik wil iets doen tegen huisstofmijt
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase: Allergie van de bovenste luchtwegen, module Klinische diagnostiek
More explanations
Other tests: Allergy and intolerance
- Alpha-gal antibodies
- Animal dander mix (allergy)
- Fish and seafood mix (allergy)
- Food allergen screen (fx5)
- Grass pollen mix (allergy)
- House dust mite specific IgE
- IgE allergen mix, large
- IgE allergen mix, small
- IgE antibodies apple
- IgE antibodies celery
- IgE antibodies hazelnut
- IgE antibodies peanut