Allergy Complete (AL2)

Service Description

This test is the UK's most comprehensive allergy panel with 295 allergens tested. Utilising innovative microarray technology it analyses the widest range of allergens available in any profile - all with one blood sample. Allergies are caused by our immune systems getting confused between what is bad for us like bacteria and viruses, and completely harmless molecules in pollen, foods, animal danders and a very wide range of other particles in our world. Resulting in the immune system attacking us instead of defending us. One in four of us have allergies, causing conditions like hay fever, asthma, eczema and a range of digestive problems. Anyone with an allergy knows how miserable life can be when they strike. Sometimes the allergy can have profound unexpected effects on our lives. For example, it is estimated that during a hay-fever attack your IQ can be reduced by 5% - along with the awful way it makes you feel. There are some allergies (anaphylactic) which if not treated urgently can cause death. Knowing what you are allergic to can transform your life as treatments are available, and if there is no treatment you at least know what to avoid. This test analyses molecules as well individual allergens so that it also checks for cross-reactivity between different allergens which is a very important part of allergy testing.