Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Fast, accurate results — Get definitive almond allergy diagnosis within 3-5 days
- No painful skin tests — Simple blood draw with no risk of allergic reactions
- Convenient nationwide access — Order online and visit any nearby lab location
- Confidential testing — Discreet results delivered securely to protect your privacy
- Empowered health decisions — Take control of your diet and allergy management
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing symptoms after eating almonds or almond-containing foods
- People with suspected tree nut allergies needing specific almond confirmation
- Those with inconclusive or contraindicated skin prick test results
- Individuals considering almond immunotherapy requiring baseline IgE levels
- Health-conscious consumers wanting to verify almond sensitivity before dietary changes
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
- Visit a lab - Get a simple blood draw at any participating location
- Get results - Receive results securely online within 3-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? It measures almond-specific IgE antibodies in your blood to detect immune sensitization to almonds.
How accurate is this blood test? The Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) method provides highly accurate quantification of IgE levels (Mayo Clinic 2019).
Can I take this test if I'm on antihistamines? Yes, unlike skin tests, blood IgE testing isn't affected by antihistamine medications.
Will this test tell me if I'll have severe reactions? Higher IgE levels suggest increased allergy risk, but reaction severity varies by individual and clinical context.
What if my results are borderline? Borderline results may require consultation with an allergist for oral food challenge or clinical correlation.
Do I need a doctor's referral? No physician referral is required for this direct-to-consumer test in most locations.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test detects the presence of almond-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood. When you're allergic to almonds, your immune system produces these specific antibodies in response to almond proteins. The test uses advanced Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology to accurately quantify these antibodies, helping confirm or rule out an almond allergy diagnosis (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2019).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is ideal for individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after almond exposure, including hives, swelling, digestive issues, or breathing difficulties. It's particularly valuable for those with family histories of food allergies, individuals needing allergy confirmation before treatment, and people who cannot undergo skin prick tests due to skin conditions or medication use (Marshfield Labs 2024).
When should I order an Almond Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test if you experience symptoms within minutes to hours after eating almonds, including tingling mouth sensations, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, hives, congestion, wheezing, or lightheadedness. Seek immediate medical attention for severe reactions like anaphylaxis, characterized by rapid pulse, throat swelling, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show IgE concentration levels classified on a 0-6 scale:
IgE < 0.10 kU/L (Class 0)
- What it means: Negative – no sensitization detected
- Typical action: Almond allergy unlikely
IgE 0.10–0.34 kU/L (Class 1)
- What it means: Borderline sensitization
- Typical action: Clinical correlation needed
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L (Class 2)
- What it means: Low positive sensitization
- Typical action: Possible allergy, monitor symptoms
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L (Class 3)
- What it means: Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Likely allergic, avoid almonds
IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L (Class 4)
- What it means: High sensitization
- Typical action: Strong allergy likelihood
IgE 17.50–49.99 kU/L (Class 5)
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: High reaction risk
IgE ≥ 50.00 kU/L (Class 6)
- What it means: Extremely high sensitization
- Typical action: Severe allergy likely
Higher IgE levels generally correlate with increased allergy risk, but clinical symptoms remain the most important factor in 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. You don't need to fast or stop taking medications. However, inform your healthcare provider about any medications you're taking. The test can be performed regardless of recent almond consumption, making it convenient for immediate testing when allergy symptoms occur.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis – Once, then as clinically indicated
- Monitoring known allergy – Every 1–2 years or with symptom changes
- Post-immunotherapy – As directed by allergist (typically 6–12 months)
- Childhood allergies – Every 2–3 years to assess potential outgrowth
Why early detection matters
Early and accurate almond allergy detection prevents potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and reduces emergency medical interventions. Studies show that proper identification helps patients avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions while ensuring appropriate precautions for those truly allergic. Early detection also enables timely consultation with specialists for comprehensive allergy management and emergency preparedness (National Institutes of Health 2019).
Related tests you may consider
IgE Food Allergy Advanced Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit — for broader screening of multiple allergens, including other tree nuts like walnuts, pecans, and cashews.
Total IgE Test — provides context about your overall allergic tendency.
Peanut Allergy IgE Test — helps differentiate between almond and peanut allergies, as these are often confused but represent different allergen categories.
