About the ELISA/ACT LRA Test
ELISA/ACT conducts a Lymphocyte Response Assay (LRA) test to detect delayed food and chemical allergies which is administered through a blood draw. The test examines your lymphocytes that indicate health and disease and also detects delayed food and chemical allergies.
The items that are tested for are:
- Foods
- Additives/preservatives
- Environmental chemicals and toxic minerals
- Molds
- Dander’s, hairs and feathers
- Medications
- Therapies Herbs
- Food Colorings
Learn more about the ELISA/ACT Test Here.
***The information presented herein is intended for healthcare professionals. Its purpose is educational and is not intended as a guide to diagnose or treat disease.
Type of Test: Blood test
Tests For: Tests for food, chemical, metal, medication & mold allergies
ELISA/ACT Test
- Call the Office at 919-844-4552 to schedule an appointment for a blood draw. (See specific instructions to prepare for blood draw at the bottom of this page)
- Appointments are scheduled Monday-Thursday before 1:00pm.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance does not cover this test.
Results Turn-around Time
The lab will mail your results directly to Beverly Medical Center in 2-3 weeks.
IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE BELOW INSTRUCTIONS, YOUR BLOOD CANNOT BE PROCESSED.
FOUR (4) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TEST
- Stop taking steroids and cortisone pills and creams UNDER THE DIRECTION OF YOUR HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER unless specifically advised by them to continue. Ask your practitioner for the Steroid Bridge information to assist with the four-day avoidance.
- Stop taking Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Remicade (infliximab) and other TNF inhibitors under the direction of your healthcare practitioner.
- Wait two weeks after a cortisone injection.
- Include a complete list of any medications, vitamins, or herbs you have been taking with the sample.
NOTE:Theophylline (aminophylline) may, on rare occasions, interfere with the LRA by ELISA/ACT tests due to its mild antihistamine activity. Patients should be informed that the test may be rendered invalid (the controls show either false-positive or false-negative results). The patient should be given the option of either taking the test during a drug-free interval or taking the test anyway, and if invalid results occur, retaking the test at no additional charge.
TWO (2) DAYS (48 HOURS) PRIOR TO THE TEST
Stop taking all over-the-counter antihistamines, antihistamine-containing prescriptions, and aspirin (acetyl-salicylate) containing compounds such as: (See your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications’ aspirin content)
- Alka Seltzer
- Anacin
- Arthritis Pain Formula
- Bayer
- Bufferin
- Ursinus
- Ecotrin
- Empirin
- Encaprin
- Equagesic
- Excedrin
- Vanquish
- Fiogesic
- Measurin
- Mido
- Momentum
- MonoGesic
- Sleeping Aids
- Percodan
- Sine-Off
- Synalgos-DC
- Talwin Compound
- Triacimicin
NOTE:Some topical shampoos, lotions, creams, etc. contain salicylic acid. While these should not interfere with the test, they should be avoided if possible during the 48-hour period to the test. Please also avoid eating fatty foods like nuts.
12 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST
- Do not eat or drink anything except spring or distilled water.
- Drink plenty of spring or distilled water up until the time of your blood draw.
- Do not take vitamins or medications (other than those listed below) unless specifically advised by your doctor.
- From the time of your evening meal until the test the following morning, brush your teeth with water only (no toothpaste).
- Avoid smoking and other people’s smoke or any other exposure that may cause a reaction, including beauty products and toiletries.
THE EVENING BEFORE A MORNING BLOOD DRAW
- Take a shower or bath around 8pm the evening before
- Use regular soap and shampoo, nothing with deodorant, extra moisturizer, or conditioner
- Do not use deodorants, body lotions, creams, saline solution, scented hand soap, lip balm, hair products, makeup or other beauty products
- Only brush your teeth with water
ON THE MORNING OF THE BLOOD DRAW
- Do not take another shower or use any beauty products or toiletries until after the test
- Rinse your mouth with spring or distilled water
- Do not eat breakfast or take any medications or vitamins prior to test
DURING THE 12-HOUR FAST, YOU MAY TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS
- Birth control pills/estrogens
- Insulin or other hormones (such as thyroid hormone)
- Heart medications, except quinidine
- Zovirax (acyclovir)
- Blood pressure medications or water pills
- Anticonvulsants
- Coumadin (blood thinner)
- Advil, Motrin, Tylenol, and other NSAIDs
If you have any questions about these instructions, please contact us during business hours via email (info@beverlymedicalcenter.com) or phone (919-844-4552)
