Blood draw
Brazil nut allergy (IgE Brazil nut)
Measures IgE antibodies against proteins in Brazil nut. For anyone with allergic symptoms shortly after eating Brazil nut or a product with nuts.
€ 36,00
All tests
Allergy and intolerance · Blood
IgE antibodies to Brazil nut
Antibodies against Brazil nut protein; shows whether the immune system is sensitive to Brazil nut, not whether you get symptoms from it.
At a glance
- Measured in blood
- In 2 test panels
- No special preparation
Explanation
IgE antibodies to Brazil nut: what is measured?
The Brazil nut is the seed of a tree from the Amazon region. Brazil nuts are eaten on their own and are found in, for example, nut mixes, muesli, chocolate and cookies; Brazil nut must be listed as an allergen on food packaging. This test measures the amount of IgE antibodies against the proteins in Brazil nut in the blood, in kU/l. The body only makes these antibodies after it has previously been in contact with the allergen; this is called sensitization.
What can it detect?
- Sensitization to Brazil nut: the body has made IgE antibodies against Brazil nut
- Support in working out a suspected allergy to Brazil nut, together with the history of the symptoms
Result
What does the result mean?
IgE antibodies to Brazil nut too high
A value above the cut-off means that you have IgE antibodies against Brazil nut: sensitization. That is not the same as an allergy. Symptoms that fit an allergy are itching or swelling in the mouth and throat, hives, vomiting or shortness of breath, usually shortly after eating. According to Stichting Voedselallergie, someone who reacts to one type of nut often also reacts to other nuts, even if they are not botanically related. In case of doubt, an allergist can have antibodies against an individual Brazil nut protein measured; that says more about a true Brazil nut allergy than this result. The level of the value says little about how severe a reaction would be.
IgE antibodies to Brazil nut 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: which symptoms, when and where they occur and after contact with what. With a positive result and matching symptoms, advice usually follows to limit contact with the allergen and, if needed, medication. With a severe reaction, in case of doubt or with symptoms that are not brought under control this way, a referral to an allergist, pediatrician, ENT specialist or lung specialist may follow.
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 a clear reaction shortly after eating Brazil nut or a product containing nuts, such as itching or swelling in the mouth and throat, hives, vomiting or shortness of breath. With a reaction to a nut mix or a product with several kinds of nuts, the result can help determine which nut is suspected. In people who eat Brazil nut normally without symptoms, the test adds nothing.
How common is it?
According to Stichting Voedselallergie, 1 to 2 in 100 people in the Netherlands have a nut allergy, both children and adults; hazelnut and walnut top the list. Nuts can cause severe reactions. Someone who reacts to one type of nut often also reacts to other nuts. Allergy to Brazil nut is less common than allergy to hazelnut or walnut.
Stichting Voedselallergie (Dutch food allergy foundation); no prevalence figure for Brazil nut on its own has been checked
Get tested
IgE antibodies to Brazil nut: test panels
IgE antibodies to Brazil nut 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
- NHG-Standaard Voedselovergevoeligheid en coeliakie (M47)
- Stichting Voedselallergie: Noten
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