Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum) collected via venipuncture
- Fasting: None required
- Turn-around: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Convenient direct access - Order online without initial doctor visit
- Comprehensive legume screening - Tests lentil, peanut, and soybean allergens
- High precision results - Uses ImmunoCAP® technology for accurate IgE measurement
- Quick turnaround - Results typically available within 2-5 business days
- No preparation required - Continue normal diet and medications before testing
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after eating legumes
- People with family history of legume or food allergies
- Those with unexplained hives, swelling, or respiratory issues after meals
- Individuals wanting to confirm suspected legume sensitivities
- People monitoring allergy status during immunotherapy treatment
- Health-conscious consumers seeking proactive allergy screening
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Purchase online or visit a walk-in lab location near you.
- Visit lab center - Convenient blood collection at nationwide locations.
- Get results - Receive confidential results within 2-5 business days.
FAQ
What legumes does this test cover? The test measures IgE antibodies specific to lentil, peanut, and soybean allergens.
Can I develop legume allergies as an adult? Yes, legume allergies can develop at any age, making testing valuable if symptoms appear later in life.
What's the difference between food allergy and intolerance? This test detects IgE-mediated allergies that can cause severe reactions, unlike food intolerances which are typically digestive.
How accurate is this blood test? IgE testing for food allergens has diagnostic sensitivity greater than 85% for confirmed allergies (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2023).
Will this test show cross-reactivity between legumes? Yes, sensitization to one legume increases allergy risk to others in about 25-50% of cases (NIAID Guidelines, 2021).
What should I do if results are positive? Consult with an allergist or primary care physician for confirmation, management strategies, and avoidance planning.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This blood test measures Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody levels specific to legume proteins including lentils, peanuts, and soybeans. The test detects whether your immune system produces an allergic response to these common food allergens. By analyzing a blood sample, this diagnostic tool helps identify legume allergies that may cause symptoms ranging from mild hives to severe anaphylaxis upon ingestion (American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, 2023).
Legumes are found in many foods including vegan products, soups, hummus, curry mixes, Chinese cuisine, sports supplements, and sauces. Peanuts and soybeans are among the most common allergens in the United States, making awareness crucial for dietary safety (CDC Food Allergy Basics, 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test benefits individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after consuming legumes, those with family history of food allergies, and people seeking proactive health screening. Approximately 1-2% of the general population have legume allergies, with peanut allergy prevalence around 1.8% in Western countries (AAAAI, 2023).
Healthcare-conscious consumers benefit from quick, reliable results enabling targeted dietary adjustments and allergy management. This proactive approach aligns with wellness trends emphasizing personal health awareness through accessible lab testing services.
When should I order the Allergen Profile, Food-Legume Blood Test?
Order this test when experiencing allergy symptoms like hives, itching, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, congestion, or respiratory issues after eating legumes. Symptoms may appear minutes to hours after exposure and can range from mild to severe.
In some cases, severe anaphylactic reactions may occur, requiring immediate medical attention. Signs include rapid pulse, swollen throat, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and extreme dizziness or loss of consciousness (Mayo Clinic Allergy Testing Guide, 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
IgE Level: Negative/Low
- What it means: No significant sensitization detected
- Typical action: Legume allergy unlikely; consider other causes
IgE Level: Moderate
- What it means: Sensitization present; allergy possible
- Typical action: Discuss with physician; consider elimination trial
IgE Level: High
- What it means: Strong sensitization; allergy likely
- Typical action: Avoid allergen; consult allergist for management
IgE Level: Very High
- What it means: Significant sensitization; high allergy risk
- Typical action: Strict avoidance; emergency action plan needed
Higher IgE levels often correlate with greater allergy severity, but clinical correlation with symptoms is essential for proper diagnosis.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test. Continue taking prescribed medications unless otherwise directed by your physician. No fasting is necessary, and you can maintain your normal diet before the blood draw. Simply visit a convenient lab collection center for venipuncture sample collection.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis: As needed based on symptoms
- Monitoring during immunotherapy: Every 6–12 months
- Childhood allergies (may outgrow): Every 1–2 years
- Adult-onset allergies: As symptoms change or annually
- Stable confirmed allergies: Every 2–3 years or as needed
Why early detection matters
Early detection and dietary management of food allergies can reduce emergency visits due to anaphylaxis, lowering healthcare costs by up to 40% (CDC, 2024). Identifying legume allergies enables proper avoidance strategies, emergency preparedness with antihistamines or epinephrine autoinjectors, and informed dietary planning.
Cross-reactivity among legumes means sensitization to one increases allergy risk to others, making comprehensive testing valuable for complete allergy management (NIAID Guidelines, 2021).
Related tests you may consider
250 Food Intolerance Panel - ALCAT Test Kit - Measures changes in size and volume of white blood cells in response to challenges with foods. This is a tolerance test, not an allergy test
IgG Food Antibodies (87 IgG Foods + Total IgE) - Genova Test Kit - Measures antibodies to 87 commonly consumed foods and provides a total IgE measurement to screen for food allergies or sensitivities.
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE - Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Eosinophil (EOS) Count Blood Test - Checks the number of eosinophils in your blood, which can indicate allergic reactions, asthma, parasitic infections, or inflammatory conditions, helping doctors diagnose and manage these health issues effectively.
