Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: No
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Detect tick-bite induced meat allergy - identify alpha-gal syndrome before severe reactions occur
- Skip doctor referrals - get direct access to specialized allergy testing
- Fast results - receive results in 3-5 days via secure portal
- Prevent anaphylaxis - early detection helps you avoid life-threatening allergic reactions
- Convenient testing - at-home blood draw or local collection with secure lab shipping
- Confidential results - private testing without insurance involvement or medical record impact
Who Is This Test For?
- People with delayed allergic reactions 3-8 hours after eating red meat
- Individuals experiencing unexplained hives, swelling, or digestive issues after beef/pork consumption
- Anyone with history of Lone Star tick bites or frequent tick exposure
- Those with unexplained anaphylaxis episodes, especially in southeastern US regions
- People needing to confirm suspected alpha-gal syndrome for dietary management
- Individuals taking medications like Cetuximab who experience allergic reactions
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
- Provide blood sample - quick venous draw at local collection site
- Get results - results delivered securely within 3-5 business days
FAQ
What is alpha-gal syndrome? A delayed meat allergy caused by tick bites that makes you allergic to mammalian meat and products.
How long after eating meat do symptoms appear? Symptoms typically occur 3-8 hours after consuming beef, pork, lamb, or related products.
Can I still eat chicken and fish? Yes, alpha-gal only affects mammalian meat; poultry and seafood remain safe to consume.
Do I need to stop medications before testing? No medication adjustments needed; inform your provider of current medications for interpretation guidance.
What if my test is positive but I have no symptoms? Some people have antibodies without reactions; clinical history determines if dietary changes are needed.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test detects specific IgE antibodies against galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule found in non-primate mammalian meat including beef, pork, venison, and related products like gelatin. The test helps diagnose Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), an allergic condition triggered by tick bites that sensitizes individuals to alpha-gal, leading to delayed allergic reactions after consuming red meat or mammalian-derived products (CDC 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
Individuals experiencing delayed allergic reactions after eating red meat, those with multiple tick bites, or unexplained anaphylaxis episodes would benefit most. The test is particularly valuable for people living in or visiting southeastern United States where Lone Star ticks are prevalent. Anyone with symptoms like hives, angioedema, digestive issues, or breathing difficulties occurring hours after meat consumption should consider testing (Mayo Clinic 2025).
When should I order an Alpha Galactose (Alpha-Gal) Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when experiencing symptoms such as hives, angioedema, or anaphylaxis occurring 3-10 hours after consuming mammalian meats or products, especially with a history of tick bites. Consider testing if you have unexplained allergic reactions, digestive issues after red meat consumption, or live in tick-endemic areas with concerning symptoms (Alpha Gal Information 2025).
How do I interpret the results?
Undetectable (<0.1 kU/L)
- What It Means: No sensitization detected
- Typical Action: Consider other allergy causes
Low positive (0.1–3.5 kU/L)
- What It Means: Mild sensitization
- Typical Action: Monitor symptoms, consider dietary trial
Moderate (3.5–17.5 kU/L)
- What It Means: Significant sensitization
- Typical Action: Avoid mammalian meat, see allergist
High (>17.5 kU/L)
- What It Means: Strong sensitization
- Typical Action: Strict avoidance, carry epinephrine
Positive results require clinical correlation with symptoms and history, as some individuals have alpha-gal antibodies without experiencing allergic reactions.
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 fasting required for this blood test. Continue normal diet and medications unless specifically advised otherwise by your healthcare provider. The test measures antibody levels, which remain stable regardless of recent food intake or medication timing.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis – Once, then as needed
- Confirmed AGS with symptoms – Annual monitoring
- Recent tick bite exposure – 6–8 weeks after bite
- Symptom changes – When symptoms worsen or improve
Why early detection matters
Early diagnosis reduces emergency care costs by preventing severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Alpha-gal syndrome is increasingly recognized in the U.S., particularly in regions with Lone Star tick prevalence, affecting thousands annually. The test has high specificity but must be combined with clinical history for accurate diagnosis.
Related tests you may consider
Beef Allergy IgE Test– helps identify beef-specific sensitivities and distinguish a true protein allergy from an alpha-gal allergy.
Total IgE Blood Test - evaluate overall allergic status; helpful as some AGS patients have low total IgE.
IgE Food Allergy Advanced Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit - identify other potential food triggers and rule out cross-reactivity with environmental allergens.
