Allergy - Elm Test

Allergy Elm test is performed to measure the level of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies in the blood. It is performed to identify the Elm (Ulmus) Allergy and record the progression of treatment. Medically it is known as Allergy Elm Enzyme Assay. The normal value of IgE antibodies lies below 100 K U/l. People whose IgE value crosses this level (greater than 100k U/l) are allergic to elm irrespective of their age group or gender. Elm allergy is popularly known as tree pollen allergy where the condition gets triggered when patient is exposed to pollen particles in air.

It does not require any sorts of special preparation for Allergy Elm Enzyme Assay Blood. Get advice from your doctor before undergoing the test. Prior to the test he/she may advise you to stop taking certain medications depending on your condition. Getting yourself dehydrated before the test is an added advantage in any blood test as it nourishes the veins. Avoid wearing tight full sleeve clothes because usually the phlebotomist collect the blood sample from your arm and tight sleeves may cause difficulty in getting the required vein.

Test result helps you to identify your possible allergic responses to various agents in milieu and help in assessing asthma, hay fever and other respiratory allergies. By detecting the variation in level of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood you get a clear idea whether to initiate immunotherapy or not. The test is a boon for some patients who are unresponsive to medications and are unaware of the kind of allergy they are bearing.

Allergy Elm test is done on blood sample using Enzyme Assay method. Diagnosing the allergen specific IgE in the blood sample is the key part of the test. Collecting the blood sample is done as per the following steps:
• The technician locates your vein between the upper and lower arm.
• A band will be used to constrict your arms for easy location of vein.
• Once suitable vein is found, the area over the skin where the vein is located is cleaned.
• With the help of a needle enough blood is drawn from your body for testing.
• Later an adhesive bandage may be applied on that area.
The collected blood is sent to laboratory for further analysis