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
- Quick confirmation of avocado allergy through precise IgE antibody measurement
- No doctor visit required for ordering this direct-access diagnostic test
- Cross-reactivity detection identifies latex-fruit syndrome and oral allergy connections
- Prevent severe reactions by confirming allergy status before symptoms worsen
- Confidential results delivered securely within days of blood draw
- Affordable screening helps avoid costly emergency treatments for undiagnosed allergies
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing symptoms after eating or touching avocados
- Individuals with known latex allergies due to cross-reactivity risks
- Those with oral allergy syndrome from birch pollen sensitivity
- Anyone with unexplained allergic reactions to Lauraceae family foods
- Health-conscious individuals wanting proactive allergy screening
- People planning dietary changes involving increased avocado consumption
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 2-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? Specific IgE antibodies that react to avocado proteins to confirm allergic sensitization.
Can I eat avocados before the test? Yes, recent avocado consumption won't affect IgE antibody levels in your blood.
Will this predict how severe my reactions might be? Higher IgE levels suggest greater allergy likelihood, but clinical correlation is needed for severity assessment.
What if I'm allergic to latex? You have a 30-50% chance of avocado cross-reactivity, making this test particularly valuable (Thermo Fisher Scientific 2025).
Should I stop taking antihistamines before testing? Not necessary, as this blood test measures antibodies rather than active allergic responses.
What happens if my results are positive? Consult an allergist for management strategies, avoidance plans, and potential immunotherapy options.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This diagnostic test measures specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that react to avocado proteins. By detecting these antibodies, the test confirms whether symptoms like hives, itching, gastrointestinal distress, or respiratory issues after avocado exposure are due to an allergic reaction (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2024). The test uses sensitive immunoassay technology such as ImmunoCAP or Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay to provide accurate results.
Who would benefit from this test?
Individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after avocado consumption should consider this test. People with latex allergies face particular risk due to cross-reactivity between latex and avocado proteins, affecting 30-50% of latex-allergic individuals. Those with oral allergy syndrome related to birch pollen sensitivity may also develop avocado allergies (PubMed 2003). Additionally, anyone wanting proactive health management through personalized allergy screening can benefit from this accessible diagnostic option.
When should I order an Avocado Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test if you experience symptoms after eating or handling avocados, including hives, itching, respiratory problems, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or swelling. Immediate testing is crucial if you've experienced severe reactions or suspected anaphylaxis. Consider testing if you have known latex allergies or oral allergy syndrome from pollen sensitivity. Early identification helps prevent severe allergic reactions and guides appropriate management strategies (Labcorp 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
IgE < 0.1 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No sensitization detected
- Typical action: Avocado consumption likely safe
IgE 0.1–0.34 kU/L
- What it means: Borderline – Minimal sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms, consider retesting
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L (Class 1)
- What it means: Low positive
- Typical action: Possible allergy, avoid if symptomatic
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L (Class 2)
- What it means: Moderate positive
- Typical action: Likely allergy, avoidance recommended
IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L (Class 3)
- What it means: High positive
- Typical action: Strong allergy, strict avoidance needed
IgE ≥ 17.50 kU/L (Class 4+)
- What it means: Very high positive
- Typical action: Severe allergy risk, carry epinephrine
Classes 1 and above typically indicate sensitization that correlates with allergy likelihood, but physician consultation is recommended for proper interpretation (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2024).
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 blood test. Fasting is not necessary, and you don't need to adjust medications. While avoiding antihistamines won't affect the test results, it's helpful to maintain your normal routine. The blood draw requires only a small sample (0.3-0.5 mL of serum) collected through standard venipuncture at any Walk-In Lab location.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial screening with symptoms – Once, then as needed
- Monitoring after avoidance – Every 1–2 years
- During immunotherapy treatment – Every 6–12 months
- After severe reaction – Retest in 3–6 months
- Changing symptoms or tolerance – As symptoms warrant
Why early detection matters
Early identification of avocado allergy helps prevent severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. With avocado consumption rising globally, more people face potential exposure and sensitization risks. Prompt diagnosis enables appropriate avoidance strategies, emergency preparedness with epinephrine auto-injectors, and informed decision-making about cross-reactive foods. Early detection also supports timely clinical intervention and may prevent progression to more severe allergic responses over time.
Related tests you may consider
Latex Allergy IgE Test — Essential for identifying cross-reactivity risks between latex and avocado proteins, especially important given the 30-50% overlap rate.
Total IgE Test — Measures overall allergic potential and atopic background, helping contextualize specific allergen results and guide management strategies.
IgE Food Allergy Advanced Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit — Provides broader assessment for multiple food allergens to identify overlapping sensitivities and complete allergy profiles.
