Allergic Rhinitis/Asthma Profile Test
Do you suffer from Allergic rhinitis or Asthma? Our Allergic Rhinitis/Asthma test can check if you have an allergy to cat or dog dander, Common silver birch, Timothy grass, dust mite, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillius fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, Mugwort, London plane, Peanut, Egg white, or Cow’s milk.
Allergic Rhinitis/Asthma Profile Test key facts
How do home allergic rhinitis and asthma profile tests work?
Home allergy tests work in different of ways, depending on the type of test:
- Blood tests are used to measure the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody produced by your immune system in response to common allergens. A finger prick device is used to take a blood sample which is sent to a lab for testing. This test can help to identify proteins within allergens that trigger allergic reactions
- With skin prick tests the allergen is placed on your skin. The skin is then pricked, allowing the allergen to enter under the skin. The skin is then monitored for signs of swelling or redness
- Olfactory tests, which are used to assess a person’s sense of smell
- Exhaled nitric oxide tests which measure the levels of nitric oxide gas in your breath. High levels of nitric oxide is a sign of asthma
Top tests for diagnosing allergic rhinitis and asthma
The top tests for diagnosing allergic rhinitis and asthma include skin tests, blood tests and spirometer tests. A spirometer measures how much and how quickly a person can breathe air in and out. Other tests used to diagnose allergic rhinitis and asthma include patch tests, physical examinations by your doctor, oral challenge tests, and scans of your lungs or sinuses.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma: When should you get tested?
You should get tested for allergic rhinitis or asthma if you have symptoms of either. Allergy symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, a runny nose, an itchy or blocked nose, red or watery eyes, sinus inflammation or pain, tiredness and post-nasal drip. Symptoms of asthma include a tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.
What is the most specific test for allergic rhinitis?
The best test for allergic rhinitis will depend on the situation. Tests include:
- Blood tests (IgE allergy test, Immunoglobulin E, Specific IgE, RAST (radioallergosorbent test) or Total IgE test) that measure the levels of allergens in the blood
- Or the skin prick test, which is able to diagnose allergies to dust mites, pet dander, and pollen. It is important to note that the recent use of antihistamines, corticosteroids, or tricyclic antidepressants will affect the results
What are the benefits of allergic rhinitis and asthma profile tests?
The benefits of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma profile tests is the identification of triggers. This can help your healthcare provider develop effective treatment plans. This may include the prediction of when your allergies and asthma may be worse and help guide allergen immunotherapy when indicated. Allergy testing can also help diagnose other medical conditions, such as dermatitis and food allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions about allergic rhinitis/asthma profile tests
What does an allergic rhinitis/asthma profile test include?
An allergic rhinitis/asthma profile test includes a blood test to measure total IgE levels and individual IgE levels for specific allergens, such as cat dander and dog dander, Common silver birch, Timothy grass, dust mite (dermatophagoides, pteronyssinus), Alternaria alternata, Aspergillius fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, Mugwort, London plane, peanut, egg white and cow’s milk.
Can allergy tests help in diagnosing asthma?
Allergy tests can not help to diagnose asthma but may help to identify if an allergy is triggering asthma symptoms.
What are the most common triggers for allergic rhinitis and asthma?
The most common triggers for allergic rhinitis and asthma are:
- Pollen which is a common trigger for hay fever
- House dust mites
- Animal proteins
- Mould spores
- Poor air quality
- Changes in the weather and temperature
How is an allergic rhinitis profile test different from a standard asthma test?
The difference between an allergic rhinitis test and a standard asthma test is, the allergic rhinitis profile test measures levels of IgE antibodies in the blood, while an asthma spirometry test measures the volume of air a person can hold and how fast they breathe.
What treatments are recommended based on Allergic Rhinitis/Asthma profile test results?
Treatments for allergic rhinitis and asthma include:
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Antihistamines
- Biologics
- Immunotherapy
Service Guide
Everything you need to know about Home Health Testing
What is this service for?
Blood tests are a convenient way for you to investigate your health concerns. NowPatient’s Home Health Testing allows you to test hundreds of different biomarkers which can help confirm if your health concerns are valid or simply give you peace of mind that you are in good health.
Is this a safe service?
Yes. For UK users, our laboratory operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is the UK’s largest diagnostic laboratory service which is UKAS and ISO-certified.
For US users, our American laboratory is CLIA-certified and registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Our telehealth clinicians infer your test results and invite you to a virtual consultation in a real-time setting to discuss the results, after which they are then released into your account for download. You can then share the results with your doctor.
Are the at-home Health Testing kits reliable?
- Test kits have an outer seal design, with the product and regulatory information and a tamper-proof seal
- UK Test kits are registered with the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for distribution in the UK only
- US Test kits are registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Test kits are available in multi-language translation
- Each test kit contains a warnings and precautions section with detailed information for the healthcare organization and yourself as the patient
- Video instructions supporting the specific sample collection are provided with each Self-Collect kit. Videos are designed to emphasize the important steps associated with capillary blood sampling and do not supersede or replace the specific end-user instructions provided with each kit
Is the service available in the United States and the United Kingdom?
Yes. This service is available in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Do I need to pay for this service?
Yes, this is currently a private service. However, in the UK, this may change and may be funded by the NHS, in the future. In the US, it may be possible it is covered by insurance but this depends on your health plan.
What happens when I order a Home Health Testing kit?
We will send you the test kit you have ordered, which will have instructions on how to collect your sample. Once collected, you simply pop it into the pre-paid envelope and send it to our laboratory.
How will I know how to use the test kit?
Instructions for sample collection are enclosed in each collection kit and can be found in the video below.
How do I return the sample to your laboratory?
We supply you with a return system package. Use this to send back the sample. Samples are fully tracked and can be posted from any Royal Mail post box, for UK customers, or USPS, for US customers.
How long does it take to get the test results back and what happens next?
Test results can take up to 10 working days to process from the day we receive your sample back. When we have processed your results, you will be sent a notification which will appear in your ‘My Notifications’ section on your dashboard, which will advise you that your results are now in the ‘My Documents’ section of your dashboard, however, the test results will be locked and will not be viewable. The notification will include a link that will allow you to book a consultation with one of our Home Health Testing counsellors.
How do I book a consultation?
Once you click ‘Book Consultation’, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. You will then need to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available clinicians. From this list, you can filter clinicians by gender and then select the clinician you would like to confirm for your booking. Once you have approved this, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before it is due to start.
What happens during the consultation?
At the consultation, the clinician will discuss what the results mean for you and the medication you are currently taking. If the clinician decides that your doctor may need to review your medication or dose, they will send a referral letter, including the test results, to your doctor. If the clinician decides the results do not affect the way you process your medications then the consultation will end.
What happens at the end of the consultation?
At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcomes of the consultation. It will also advise if a doctor referral was made, by way of letter. If a GP referral letter was issued, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘My Documents’ section of your dashboard. At this stage, your test results will also be unlocked and you will be able to download it and share it with any other healthcare provider.
Are my results confidential?
Yes, we follow strict General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which came into force in May 2018. This places legal requirements on ourselves to ensure your personal data is managed securely with utmost confidentiality. Records are maintained of the processing that is carried out and reported when breaches of the regulation do occur. Our platform is also HIPAA compliant which means we are able to handle PHI (Personal Health Information) securely.
Are you able to prescribe a treatment plan, if my results indicate I need treatment?
For UK users, our prescribing clinicians may be able to provide a private treatment plan, subject to their clinical judgment. Unfortunately, we do not operate a service where you can request a certain medication.
What are the limitations of the Home Health Testing service?
All test kits have a certain level of inaccuracy, therefore results can only be taken as estimates. It should be noted all tests are performed in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and test performance is regularly monitored through internal and external quality control for test result interpretation.
We do not recommend sending samples back between Friday noon and Monday morning due to delays.
Are there any concerns or risks I need to be aware of?
Tests cannot be performed if samples fall short of the quality, volume, or other eligibility criteria. In these cases, the laboratory may need to reject the samples, and not carry out processing. Sometimes the laboratory is able to rectify a situation and although turnaround times may be affected, it avoids having to arrange for samples to be taken again.
Tests cannot be performed if incorrect sample types are received; samples are received unprotected from light when they are required to be covered at the point of venepuncture; samples are received in incorrect containers; no sample received; samples mislabelled, unlabelled, or with no forms, or no clinical information, samples are broken or have leaked in transit; samples are contaminated (e.g. being in the same bag as a leaking sample); sample stability time has been exceeded (stability time is test dependant, and also refers to tests that can only be carried out on certain days of the week); samples are received in expired tubes.
The laboratory will not accept samples packaged with needles of any kind.
About Telehealth
Are remote video consultations right for me?
How do I know if the remote video consultation service is safe?
Do I need to verify my identity during the remote video consultation?
Can I have a chaperone (carer, friend, family member) join a remote video consultation?
How can I be sure that you are handling and protecting my data securely?
How is my data stored?
Are my consultations confidential?
Can I select which clinician I have my consultation with?
Will my doctor be informed of any consultations I have through the app?
Do remote video consultations save money for health systems?
Are remote video consultations safer than online questionnaires?
What quality of care can I expect to receive from a remote video consultation?
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What does NowPatient do?
NowPatient is an online pharmacy & telehealth service that is available in the US and UK. Our service is FREE and packed with useful features that can help you save money on the cost of your medications, access virtual treatments, and provide tools that can help improve your overall health.
Get started today and benefit from medication reminders, Get Treated Privately, NHS online pharmacy, GP appointment booking, Rx savings card, Drug Coupons, US drug savings programs, health conditions information, genetic testing, home test kits, BMI Risks, Type 2 Diabetes Risks, pollen meter, air quality monitor, and lots more!
Our service is operated by experienced medical professionals in the United States and the United Kingdom. You can view the online services that we provide by clicking Features.
UK users can safely and securely buy medicines online that treat a wide range of medical conditions. UK customers can also order NHS prescriptions online with the benefit of free tracked delivery.
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Where is NowPatient located?
NowPatient has offices in the United Kingdom and United States.
In the UK, we are located at:
NowPatient
28 Chipstead Valley Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR52RA
In the US, we are located at:
NowPatient
8911 North Capital of Texas Highway
Suite 4200 #1263
78759
Austin, TX
How can I contact NowPatient?
To contact NowPatient, please use the contact form available on the Contact Us page.
Alternatively, if you need to speak to us, you can reach us on the following numbers:
UK telephone number – 020 388 51 500
US telephone number – 1-866-967-1977
Who owns NowPatient?
NowPatient is owned and operated by Infohealth Ltd, a licensed online pharmacy with services spanning the UK, US and Rest of the World. Infohealth Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 04004930 and our registered office is at Lynwood House, 373 – 375 Station Road, Harrow, England, HA1 2AW.
Our website is www.nowpatient.com. Our App is called “NowPatient” and can be downloaded from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices).
Can you tell me more about your NHS online pharmacy?
NowPatient’s Pharmaceutical services in the UK are provided by Infohealth Limited trading as ‘Infohealth Pharmacy’.
Our dispensing pharmacy is regulated and authorized for internet sales by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), registration number 1036487. You can view our license credentials on the General Pharmaceutical Council website. Our superintendent pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and effective oversight of medicines supplies is Mr Amish Patel (Registration Number 2042705).
Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce. All medicines or healthcare product sales are made under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is licensed by the GPhC. At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served.
How do I make a complaint?
From time to time, we accept that our service levels may not be up to your expectations. NowPatient welcomes concerns, compliments and complaints as valuable feedback that will help us learn from your experiences and make improvements. Feedback can be provided via our clear and transparent Complaints Procedures.
Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s prescribing services for treatments offered?
Our prescribing services are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). We provide the following regulated activity:
• treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• transport services, triage, and medical advice are provided remotely
• caring for adults over 65 years old
• caring for adults under 65 years old
NowPatient prescribing services are run by Infohealth Limited. The Clinical Safety Officer and nominated individual is Mr Navin Khosla.
Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s US services?
Our head of US services is Dr. Jamie Winn.
You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.
We do not provide any prescribing services or dispensing services in the United States.
Is NowPatient legit and can I trust information from NowPatient?
Yes. NowPatient provides trustworthy and accessible clinical, health education and prescription services. We are also trusted by the NHS to deliver clinical and NHS repeat prescription dispensing across the whole of England. In the United States, we work with over 65,000 pharmacies to deliver considerable costs savings for our users.
NowPatient is operated by experienced licensed medical professionals in the United Kingdom and United States. Our Medical Team can be found here.
Our service is trusted by thousands of patients worldwide. You can read their reviews on our Trustpilot:
What are NowPatient’s opening hours?
Our office hours are:
UK – Monday-Friday 9am-6pm GMT
US – Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST
Please note that we are closed at weekends.
In the event of a medical life-threatening emergency please call:
UK – 999
US – 911
In the event of a medical emergency which is not life-threatening please call:
UK – 111