Please note that allergy test results reflect an IgE immune response, which causes immediate reactions like hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing. If you're experiencing symptoms but your allergy test shows no allergies, it may be due to several factors. This article explains the common reasons why discrepancies can occur and helps guide you on how to interpret your results.
1. Why your allergy test may be negative, even if you have symptoms
Our allergy tests detect IgE antibodies in whole blood (serum + plasma + red blood cells), which are responsible for the classic allergic reactions. However, there are several reasons why your test may come back negative, even if you’re experiencing symptoms:
Non-allergic hypersensitivity: Conditions such as non-allergic rhinitis or irritant-induced asthma mimic allergic symptoms but do not involve IgE antibodies, so they won’t show up in the test.
Different antigen types: Our tests cover the most common allergens, but it's impossible to test for every potential allergen. Your symptoms could be caused by something not included in the panel.
Chronic urticaria (hives): Many people with chronic hives have no identifiable allergic cause, so tests often remain negative.
Cell-mediated allergies: Some immune reactions involve T-cells rather than IgE antibodies, and these won’t be detected by standard blood-based IgE tests.
Local allergic rhinitis: Some people may experience symptoms in their nose or airways without having detectable IgE antibodies in their blood. Specialized local provocation testing is needed to diagnose this condition.
False negatives: No test is perfect. Factors such as timing of exposure, the severity of your reaction, age, or medication use (e.g., antihistamines, steroids) can affect the sensitivity of the test.
2. Why your test may show everything as negative (green)
It’s common for some people to have no measurable IgE responses in our tests. If your results are all green, it doesn't mean your symptoms are not real; it simply means that the symptoms you're experiencing may not be related to the allergens detected by the test. Here are some possible reasons:
You may have a non-allergic condition like histamine intolerance, or another underlying issue not detected by blood-based allergy tests.
Your symptoms could be triggered by factors other than allergens tested in this panel.
Disclaimer on different allergy analysis methods
There are different methods for analyzing allergies, and the results can vary based on the approach. Our tests focus on IgE antibodies detected through whole blood analysis (serum, plasma, and red blood cells). However, other methods such as patch testing or venous blood withdrawal (serum) may be used in certain cases and can provide different types of information. For example:
Patch testing: This method is commonly used to diagnose contact dermatitis and involves placing small amounts of allergens on the skin and observing the reactions over time. It does not typically detect IgE-mediated responses, which is the focus of our blood tests.
Venous blood withdrawal (serum testing): This analysis method focuses on detecting specific allergens in serum and can differ from our blood-based approach. The results may not match exactly, as they use different ways of processing and analyzing samples.
Each method has its strengths and limitations, and sometimes a combination of tests is needed for a full picture. If you have concerns or if your symptoms persist despite negative results, it may be helpful to explore other testing options.
Need help interpreting your allergy test results? Book a consultation with a specialist
If you're uncertain about your results or if you're experiencing symptoms that don't seem to match your test results, we offer consultations with a specialist who can help you interpret your allergy test results more accurately.
A consultation can provide a clearer understanding of your symptoms and potential causes. Book consultation here
Conclusion
Interpreting allergy test results can be complex, and a negative result doesn’t necessarily rule out an allergy or hypersensitivity issue. It’s important to consider other potential factors that may be causing your symptoms, and to take into account different allergy testing methods.
If you're unsure about your results or continue to experience symptoms, we recommend booking a consultation with a specialist to help interpret the results and discuss next steps.