Allergy Testing Service at Dears Pharmacy
Your local Dears Pharmacy now offers an allergy testing service. Our trained pharmacists can now offer you a test called Klarify.me.
- 280+ allergens tested
- Sophisticated technology
- Detects allergen specific IgE
- Precision allergen component testing
- Personalised report in your online account
- Comprehensive and reliable results
The klarify.me Allergy Test analyses the body’s reaction to 280+ different allergens including:
Foods (144)
Pollen (62)
Pets (20)
Mites (17)
Moulds and yeasts (15)
Insect stings (9)
Other (15)
Precise technology – reliable results
Taken via a simple finger prick by the pharmacist or other healthcare professional, the patient’s blood sample is easily sent off to our partner lab to be analysed using the innovative technology ALEX – Allergy Explorer.
ALEX measures allergen specific IgE and total IgE. This technology is used by allergy specialists across the world to support the clinical diagnosis of allergies.
Once analysed, your test results are fed back to our pharmacists, which enables the pharmacist to provide an interpretation of results in combination with the patient’s allergy history during your initial consultation.
What does the test look for?
The test detects a body’s reactions to both allergen extracts and allergen components. That allows for comprehensive precision testing right down to individual proteins in an allergen source.
What are allergen extracts and components?
Allergen extracts have been taken from what is called a whole allergen source. For example, a peanut. Allergen components are individual proteins in the allergen source. For example, the proteins of the peanut that may cause a reaction. Some allergen sources and individual components only cause mild symptoms, while others can cause severe allergic reactions.
How is a patient’s blood analysed?
Your patient’s blood sample is analysed using the innovative technology ALEX – Allergy Explorer, which provides extensive multiplex testing of IgE levels. Our test detects the body’s reactions to both allergen extracts and allergen components, allowing for comprehensive precision testing right down to individual proteins in an allergen source.
The ALEX test method has been compared against the ImmunoCAP ISAC method, which is another very well-established and acknowledged method used by doctors and blood laboratories around the world. The study has been published in the peer-reviewed journal, World Allergy Organisation: Heffler et al. World Allergy Organisation Journal (2018) 11:7.
How accurate is the test?
The sensitivity of our allergy test is qualified by a ‘limit of detection,’ which means the lowest levels of allergens that the test needs to measure and detect allergens. This has been determined in accordance with CLSI guideline EP17-A (Evaluation of Detection Capability for Clinical Laboratory Measurement Procedures Approved Guidelines) for representative allergen components and is below 0.3 kU/L for all allergen components and all allergen extracts.
This means to the range all the way down to 0.3 kU/L, the method will be able to detect a positive sample. For negative results below 0.3 kU/L, sensitisation is unlikely but cannot be ruled out for some allergens.
Furthermore, from examination of analytical specificity, there is no detectable cross-reactivity with other human Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgM) at normal physiological concentrations. So other antibodies are not interfering with the test result.
Pricing
The test costs £150 per person.
Our service is available in all pharmacies with no appointment necessary.
