Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation is required
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What's Included
This panel measures allergen-specific IgE antibody levels for seven individual vegetables in one blood draw.
- Broccoli – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to broccoli.
- Cabbage – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to cabbage.
- Cauliflower – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to cauliflower.
- Celery – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to celery.
- Cucumber – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to cucumber.
- Lettuce – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to lettuce.
- Spinach – Measures IgE antibody levels specific to spinach.
This panel is performed by LabCorp and includes only the seven vegetables listed above.
Benefits
- Measures IgE sensitization to seven common vegetables in one blood draw.
- Avoids the need to order seven separate vegetable tests individually.
- Uses a standard blood sample with no special preparation required.
- Provides individual IgE results for each of the seven vegetables tested.
- Supports a conversation with your healthcare provider about vegetable-related symptoms.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have noticed symptoms after eating one or more of the seven vegetables in this panel.
- People whose healthcare provider is evaluating possible IgE-mediated reactions to common vegetables.
- People who want IgE results for several common vegetables from a single blood draw.
- People following up on symptoms such as tingling, swelling, hives, or digestive discomfort after eating vegetables.
- People who want to discuss vegetable-related reaction patterns with their healthcare provider.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this panel test?
This panel measures allergen-specific IgE antibody levels for seven common vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, and spinach. Each vegetable is measured individually, so you receive a separate IgE result for each one. The panel does not test any vegetables, foods, or allergens beyond this list.
2. Does this panel test every vegetable?
No, this panel measures only the seven vegetables specifically listed in What's Included. The "Vegetable I" name refers to this particular grouping of vegetables selected for this panel, not to every vegetable that exists. Vegetables outside this list are not measured by this test.
3. Who should consider this panel, and when?
This panel may be worth considering if you have experienced symptoms after eating broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, or spinach, or if your healthcare provider is helping you evaluate possible reactions to these vegetables. It can also be useful if you want IgE information on several common vegetables at once rather than ordering separate individual tests.
4. How does this panel differ from testing individual vegetables?
This panel measures IgE antibody levels for seven specified vegetables together in one blood draw, while an individual vegetable test measures IgE for just one vegetable. Choosing between the two depends on how many of these vegetables you want evaluated at once; neither approach is inherently more accurate than the other.
5. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can visit the lab for your blood draw without fasting or making other advance arrangements.
6. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 5 days. Turnaround may take longer depending on weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
7. How should I interpret my results, and what if one or more are abnormal?
Each vegetable's IgE result should be reviewed individually and in the context of your symptoms, history, and overall health picture, rather than as one combined score. An elevated result for one vegetable does not determine the result for another vegetable in the panel, and a positive result on its own does not confirm a clinical food allergy, predict how severe a reaction might be, or mean that food must be avoided. If one or more results come back abnormal, review them with a qualified healthcare provider, who can help determine whether any further evaluation or testing is appropriate based on your individual situation.
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.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes proteins in certain pollens as similar to proteins found in certain foods, sometimes triggering symptoms after eating those foods. This panel measures only the seven vegetables listed in What's Included above (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, and spinach), and it does not test for the pollens or additional foods discussed below. The examples below are not an exhaustive list, and they do not mean you will necessarily react to any of the items mentioned. They are offered as general educational context that may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider, depending on your symptoms and history.
- Birch and mugwort pollen (related to celery): Sensitization to birch and mugwort pollen has been associated with reactions to celery, sometimes called the celery-birch-mugwort syndrome, due to shared proteins between these pollens and celery.
- Ragweed pollen (related to cucumber): Ragweed pollen has been reported to share cross-reactive proteins with cucumber and other Cucurbitaceae family foods, which may contribute to oral symptoms in ragweed-sensitized individuals.
- Weed pollens including ragweed (related to lettuce): Lettuce belongs to the same plant family as ragweed, and pollen-food allergy syndrome involving lettuce has been reported in individuals sensitized to certain weed pollens.
- Mugwort and related Apiaceae spices (related to celery): Mugwort sensitization has also been associated with reactions to related spices such as parsley, caraway, and fennel, which share proteins with celery.
Depending on your history, symptoms, or known pollen sensitivities, discussing related pollen or food allergen testing with your healthcare provider may be a helpful next step to explore these possible connections further.
