Allergy insulin bovine enzyme assay blood test is used to detect the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against the insulin bovine in the blood. This test helps to know the immune response of the body towards the insulin bovine.
What are Insulin and Insulin Bovine?
Insulin is a hormone produced by a special type of cells in the pancreas. Insulin helps in promoting the absorption of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into the cells of liver, fat and skeletal muscle. In these cells, glucose is used to produce energy and utilized by the body. The special type of cells in the pancreas are sensitive to glucose concentrations or blood sugar levels. Insulin production is high when the glucose levels in the blood are high and when glucose levels are low insulin production is low.
Insulin attaches to the target cell receptors and allows the cell to absorb glucose from the blood and the cells utilize the absorbed glucose to produce energy. Insulin thus maintains the blood glucose levels and prevents the hypoglycemia (low in blood glucose or sugar levels) and hyperglycemia (high in blood glucose or sugar levels).
The first type of insulin used to control diabetes in humans is animal insulin. Mostly used animal insulins are pig insulin and cow insulin. Cow insulin is also called Insulin Bovine. Insulin bovine is a type of insulin where insulin from the pancreas cells of the cow is taken and purified to reduce the occurrence of an allergic reaction to the insulin in the individuals.
What is Insulin Bovine allergy?
Insulin bovine allergy is a type of allergy in which an individual is allergic to the insulin bovine and may suffer from symptoms such as swelling, redness, and itching around the site of injection, shortness of breath, rash, dizziness, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea etc.
Antibodies are produced when any foreign substance or virus or bacteria enters the body. Antibodies are in Y shaped and are of 5 sub-types. They are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE. IgE binds to the basophils and mast cells and is seen during allergic reactions.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed to check whether an individual is allergic to insulin bovine or not. The doctor may ask you to undergo this test if you are suffering from symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, rash, swelling, redness, and itching around the site of injection, shortness of breath, dizziness, excessive sweating, fever, swelling of throat and mouth, etc.
Precautions:
Some medications may change the test results and hence you are advised to inform all your current medications to the doctor prior to the test.
Smoking and alcohol consumption may change the way how insulin act and works.
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Insulin Bovine. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Insulin Bovine.
There are no specific preparations required for this test.
The test results may be different depending on gender, age, and health conditions. Inform your doctor if you have any other allergies.
Generally, there is no need for medical interventions if test results are normal.
If your test results show high levels of IgE antibodies than the given normal reference range, it may indicate that the person is most likely to have insulin bovine allergy.
If your test results are lower than the normal reference range, it may indicate that the person is unlikely to have insulin bovine allergy.
Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.
Gender | Age groups | Value |
UNISEX | All age groups | Increased IgE (>100kU/l) is seen if the person is allergic to the specific substance |