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Unit Code 8159:
Immunoglobulin E (IgE), Serum

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Useful For

As an initial (screening) test for allergic disease

Clinical Information

IgE antibodies mediate allergic diseases by sensitizing mast cells

and basophils to release histamine and other inflammatory mediators

on exposure to allergens.

 

Serum levels of IgE are increased in many patients with allergic

diseases, parasitic diseases, allergic bronchopulmonary

aspergillosis, and the rare hyper IgE syndrome.

Reference Values

Results reported in kU/L

          Age              Mean          1SD          2SD

0-6 weeks                  0.6                    2.3                    8.8

7 weeks-3 months   1.0                    4.1                    17.0

4-6 months                 1.8                    7.3                    30.0

7-9 months                 2.6                    10.0                  39.0

10-23 months            3.2                    13.0                  53.0

2 years                        5.7                    23.0                  93.0

3 years                        8.0                    32.0                  128.0

4 years                        10.0                  40.0                  160.0

5 years                        12.0                  48.0                  192.0

6 years                        14.0                  56.0                  224.0

7 years                        16.0                  63.0                  248.0

8 years                        18.0                  71.0                  280.0

9 years                        20.0                  78.0                  304.0

10 years                     22.0                  85.0                  328.0

Adults                          13.2                  41.0                  127.0  

Serum levels of IgE greater than the mean 1 standard deviation (SD)

for age suggest the presence of allergic disease.

Interpretation

Serum levels of IgE greater than the mean 1 standard deviation

(SD) for age suggest the presence of allergic disease.

 

Levels greater than the mean 2 SD strongly suggest the presence

of allergic disease.

Cautions

The probability of finding an increased level of IgE in serum in a

patient with allergic disease varies directly with the number of

different allergens to which the patient is sensitized.

 

A normal level of IgE in serum does not eliminate the possibility

of allergic disease.

 

Normal levels of IgE in serum occur in some patients with allergic

disease, especially if there is sensitivity to a limited number of

allergens and limited end organ involvement.

Clinical Reference

Homburger HA:  Allergic diseases. In Clinical Diagnosis and

Management by Laboratory Methods. 20th edition. New  York,

WB Saunders Company, 2001, pp 1051-1063

Key