Yeast allergy test

Your doctor may perform this test to check for yeast sensitivity if you show symptoms of food allergy. Yeast intolerance is a milder form of yeast sensitivity and its symptoms are largely limited to the gastrointestinal tract, however, yeast allergy symptoms are more systemic and may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Bloating 
• Eczema
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Joint pain
• Respiratory problems
• Itchy skin

You do not need any special preparation for this test. Before the test, your doctor may ask you detailed questions about your symptoms. He/she may advise you to avoid certain medicines before the test, as they can interfere with the test results.

Let your doctor know if you have a family history of allergies.

Skin prick test: This test can identify if you are allergic to certain foods that may contain yeast. Here is how a skin prick test is done:

• A laboratory technician will apply a small amount of the allergen on your skin.
• He/she will use a needle (lancet) to prick the surface of the skin underneath the sample, so that the allergen can enter your skin.
• The technician will then wait for some time to see if an itchy, red bump appears at the injection site, which will indicate that you have an allergy.

Blood test: This test is done to measure the number of IgE antibodies in blood. A laboratory technician will insert a sterile needle into a vein in your arm and withdraw a few millilitres of your blood. Once the sample is collected, the technician will label it with your name and date of collection and will send it for analysis.

After the procedure, you may notice mild bruising at the puncture site; it will fade in a few days. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded at the site of blood, please inform your doctor or nurse so that they can help you feel more comfortable.

A newer method has also been developed for testing yeast sensitivity, which involves the analysis of a stool sample.

Normal results:

For the skin prick test: If the area of your skin around the sample application site does not show any changes, it means that you are not allergic to yeast.

For the blood test: The acceptable upper limit of IgE antibodies is between 150 and 300 international units per millilitre (UI)/mL, which suggests that you may not have an allergy.

Abnormal results:

For the skin prick test: A positive result indicates that you are allergic to yeast. A red, raised area at the injection site is interpreted as a positive result.

For the blood test: Higher than normal total IgE levels suggest that you may have an allergy. You may need to take an IgE test for a specific substance or food to identify whether you have an allergy to it.

If you are at risk of a strong allergic reaction, your doctor will provide you with an epinephrine device that you can use in case you experience a severe reaction.

Based on your symptoms and the test results, your doctor will devise a suitable treatment plan and also advise you about foods to avoid. If you have any questions about how to manage allergic complications, please speak with your doctor.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.