title: Serum total IgE in normal subjects and the influence of a family history of allergy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the range of serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in a healthy population free of personal and family history of allergy, and to determine whether a family history of allergy influenced serum IgE levels. Using commercially available Phadebas reagents, the mean serum IgE in eighty-four adults aged 17-30 years with no personal or family history of allergy was found to be 38.8 iu/ml. Seventy-five percent of subjects had a serum IgE below 50 iu/ml and in only one subject was serum IgE in excess of 150 iu/ml, which we suggest be taken as the upper limit of normal. When healthy subjects with no personal history but with a family history of allergy were included with this normal population, the mean serum IgE in 207 subjects was 95.4 iu/ml and the upper limit of the distribution curve over 200 iu/ml, suggesting an influence of genetic factors on IgE production.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004485:Eczema / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E