Q.What are allergies?
A. An allergy is the result of a person’s overactive immune system, reacting
to usually harmless things. The substances that cause allergic reactions are
known as allergens. Your body thinks the allergen is an invader and makes
antibodies to attack it. People who have allergies have an antibody called
Immunoglobulin E, or IgE. When allergens first contact the body of a person
with allergies, allergen-specific IgE antibodies are produced. Each type of
IgE has specific "radar" for one type of allergen only. That’s why some
people are allergic to cats only (they have only the IgE antibodies specific
to cat) and others seem to be allergic to everything.
When a person with allergies comes in contact with an allergen, his or her
body will show symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of
tissues, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and other
reactions.
A person with antibodies to a specific allergen is commonly referred to as
being “allergic” to that allergen.
Q. What allergens are tested with MyAllergyTest?.
A. Your blood sample will be tested for the following allergens: House dust
Mite, Cat, Timothy Grass, Bermuda Grass, Mountain Cedar, Short Ragweed,
Alternaria (mold), Milk, Egg White, and Wheat.
Q. Who should do MyAllergyTest?.
A. Anyone wanting to know if they are “allergic” to the ten most common
allergens should do MyAllergyTest. This test is made especially for you, the
general public.
Q. Why is it important to know what I am allergic to?
A. To help you better manage your allergy symptoms, you must first know what
is causing your allergy. For instance, you don’t have to get rid of your cat
if you are allergic to milk, and you don’t need to avoid pollens all year if
you have a seasonal allergy to ragweed.
MyAllergyTest gives you more information. Once you know the specific
allergens causing your symptoms, you can:
1. Avoid exposure to the allergens;
2. Contact your physician to get specific medical treatment.
An accurate allergy test, such as MyAllergyTest, is an important part of
allergy diagnosis, when used together with advice from your Healthcare
Provider.
Q. How accurate is MyAllergyTest?.
A. MyAllergyTest is as accurate as other standard laboratory testing
systems. The MyAllergyTest laboratory tests your blood with a Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) cleared allergy testing method. Unlike tests that
provide only a “Yes” or “No” answer, MyAllergyTest gives you a “CLASS”
number which matches your level of allergic response. MyAllergyTest also
gives you ImmuneTech Units per milliliter (IU/mL). Some doctors may use
these test results to track the progress of allergy treatment.
Q. What can I do to make the
blood collection easier?.
A. Try any or all of the following:
Wash your hands with warm water
Warm your hands by rubbing them together
Choose a finger that is warm and callus-free
Let the hand with the chosen finger hang at your side for
at least 30 seconds.
Press the Safety Lancet firmly against the tip of your
chosen finger.
Do not pull your hand away when triggering the Safety
Lancet.
If you like, or if you feel uneasy, someone else can help
you stick your finger.
Q. Do I need to fast or collect my blood at a specific
time of day?
A. No. You do not need to fast and you can test your blood any
time of the day. It is best to collect the blood sample
before eating or several hours after a meal.
Q. Who can get my test results?.
A. Your test results are confidential. Access to test results
requires the PIN that you attach to your Personal Identification
Card and your email address. Only you can access your results
with your PIN. If you’d like to make the results available
on-line to your physician, you must give him or her your PIN and
email address. Make sure you do not lose your PIN!
Q. What does a NEGATIVE rest result mean and what action
is suggested?.
A. MyAllergyTest NEGATIVE test result means that your body is
not making sufficiently high antibodies to that allergen. While
a completely negative test result is evidence that you are not
allergic to any of the most common allergens, it is always
possible you may be allergic to these 10 or other rare
allergens.
Q. What does a BORDERLINE rest result mean and what action
is suggested?
A. MyAllergyTest BORDERLINE test result means that your body is
making a very small amount of antibody to that allergen. You
have the possibility of being allergic. Consultation with a
physician is highly recommended.
Q. What does a POSITIVE rest result mean and what action
is suggested?
A. MyAllergyTest POSITIVE test result means that your body is
making suficient antibodies to that allergen. Whether you get
Class 2-6, the important thing to know is that you are probably
“allergic” to that allergen. Knowing your Class may be helpful.
Consult with your physician to determine the course of action
and treatment.
1. For most allergies, the best and safest action is to stay
away from that allergen. Changes to your environment or to your
eating habits may reduce or even stop the symptoms.
2. If symptoms persist, consult a physician.
IMPORTANT:
Any decisions regarding specific medical treatment or medication
should ot be made base only on MyAllergyTest results. Only your
physician can decide what medical treatment or medications, if
any, is right for you. Do not take any medication based only on
MyAllergyTest results.
If you have concerns about your allergies, talk to your
physician.
NOTE: California Residents - Business
and Professions Code 1246.5 Requires That Any Test that has not been approved by
the Federal Food and Drug Administration for sale to the public without a
prescription as an Over-The-Counter Test kit must be ordered by a Licensed
physician acting on a patient's behalf. All orders for test kits within
the state of California
NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health
law prohibits the testing of certain specimens collected in or mailed from New
York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY
physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY
residents is not possible.
International Residents & Orders: Extra shipping charges may be added
for international orders. Patients will be contacted by e-mail or
telephone to approve charges.
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