Allergy tests

How and why are allergy tests performed?

Allergy tests can be used to find out whether your symptoms are due to an allergy or another illness. Most allergy sufferers have been sensitised to more than one allergen. In this case, it's essential to identify which allergens are central to your symptoms and quality of life.

The more accurately the allergens are identified, the easier it will be to avoid exposure. This will also make treating the symptoms easier and more effective.

Allergy test without a referral

Allergy tests can be performed without a referral for people over the age of 15. Please note that if you do not have a doctor's referral for a laboratory test:

• The expenses will not be eligible for Kela reimbursement.
• Most medical expenses insurance policies will not cover the costs of the tests.
• You need to state which tests you want to have as the sample collector is unable to determine which tests are required.
• You will not receive a doctor's interpretation of the results, but you can book an appointment with a doctor once the test results are ready.

Allergy test on a blood sample

Thanks to modern laboratory tests performed by using a blood sample, allergies can now be confirmed or ruled out more accurately and reactions that are likely to be severe can be distinguished from harmless reactions.

Accurate tests that indicate allergic sensitisation and, in particular, new allergen component tests will help us to select the most suitable treatment for you, eliminating the need for many lists of items to be avoided or prohibited.

In addition to using blood samples, allergy testing is also performed in the form of skin prick tests and exposure tests.

What kind of allergy test is an allergen component test?

An extended basic screening and analysis covers allergen screening and the analysis of individual components, if the group screening yields a positive result.

Allergen component testing is a more advanced form of testing for allergies than traditional modes of testing, such as the skin prick test or the measurement of IgE antibody levels. Allergy symptoms are not caused by a whole peanut, for example. Instead, the cause of the symptoms can be found in one or more individual nut proteins.

With component testing, the risk of severe allergic reactions can be assessed more accurately, as certain components indicate a risk of a life-threatening reaction.

This testing also allows cross-reactivity to be distinguished from clinically significant allergies. For example, people with an allergy to birch tree pollen are often afraid, unnecessarily so, that they are also allergic to peanuts, even if the symptoms are just a result of cross-reactivity in a skin prick test.

Prices of allergy tests

See the laboratory test price list for the prices of all allergy test panels.

The prices include:

• collection and analysis of blood samples at your preferred Mehiläinen location
• submitting the results to OmaMehiläinen once they are ready.

Please note that only tests and examinations performed with a doctor's referral are eligible for Kela reimbursement. Medical expenses insurance does not typically cover any tests and examinations performed without a referral.

Results of the allergy test

The results of the laboratory test are recorded in OmaMehiläinen. You can use OmaMehiläinen by downloading the OmaMehiläinen app to your phone. You can also use the online version of the OmaMehiläinen service.

Even though the results of the tests will be available in the OmaMehiläinen app, we recommend that you discuss the results of the allergy tests with a doctor. The doctor will provide you with a professional's interpretation of the results and instructions for any further treatment.

You can contact your doctor or book an appointment with a general practitioner to get a statement via our online appointment booking service or by calling our customer service at 010 414 00 (local network rate/mobile charge).

If you had the allergy test on the basis of a doctor's referral, you should agree with the referring doctor on how the results will be delivered and what further guidance will be offered.