Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Identify specific berry allergens - Test individually for blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries
- Skip the doctor visit - Order online and get results without prior physician consultation
- Quick, convenient testing - Simple blood draw at local labs nationwide
- Prevent severe reactions - Early detection helps avoid anaphylaxis and emergency situations
- No special preparation - No fasting or dietary restrictions needed before testing
Who Is This Test For?
- Berry reaction sufferers - Experience itching, swelling, or breathing issues after eating berries
- Family history carriers - Have relatives with known food allergies or berry sensitivities
- Symptom investigators - Want to confirm if berries cause unexplained allergic reactions
- Prevention-focused individuals - Seeking proactive screening before severe reactions occur
- Treatment planners - Need confirmation before starting avoidance strategies or immunotherapy
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Purchase your test kit and receive lab requisition form instantly.
- Visit local lab - Get your blood drawn at any convenient location near you.
- Get results - Receive confidential results within 3-5 business days.
FAQ
What berries does this test check for? This panel tests for IgE antibodies to blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries specifically.
Can I eat berries before the test? Yes, continue your normal diet. The test measures your immune system's antibody response.
Will this test predict how severe my reactions will be? No, antibody levels don't predict reaction severity. Clinical correlation with symptoms is needed.
Do I need to stop taking allergy medications? Generally no preparation needed, but inform your provider about antihistamine use.
What if my results are positive? Elevated IgE levels suggest sensitization. Consult a healthcare provider for treatment planning.
How accurate is this blood test? IgE blood tests have 70-90% sensitivity, but require symptom correlation for diagnosis (Mayo Clinic 2024).
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures specific IgE antibodies in your blood that indicate allergic sensitization to blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. When your immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in these berries as harmful, it produces IgE antibodies. These antibodies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals, causing allergic reactions (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
Berry allergies often relate to oral allergy syndrome (OAS), where proteins in berries cross-react with pollen allergens your body already recognizes as threats.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for individuals experiencing unexplained symptoms after berry consumption. Food allergies affect approximately 8% of children and up to 10% of adults in the U.S. (CDC 2023).
Those with family histories of food allergies should consider testing, as genetic predisposition increases allergy risk. The test also helps people planning dietary changes or those needing confirmation before starting elimination diets.
When should I order a Berry Allergy IgE Blood Test Panel?
Order this test if you experience symptoms within minutes to hours after eating berries. Common reactions include mouth tingling, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, hives, congestion, or breathing difficulties.
Seek immediate medical attention for severe symptoms like throat swelling, difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, or loss of consciousness—these may indicate anaphylaxis. This test helps identify triggers before severe reactions occur.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show IgE antibody levels for each berry tested, measured in kU/L (kilounits per liter).
< 0.35 kU/L
- What it means: No sensitization detected
- Typical action: Berry consumption likely safe
0.35 – 0.70 kU/L
- What it means: Low sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor for mild reactions
0.70 – 3.50 kU/L
- What it means: Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Consider avoidance, consult a healthcare provider
3.50 – 17.5 kU/L
- What it means: High sensitization
- Typical action: Avoid berry, carry emergency medication
> 17.5 kU/L
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Strict avoidance and implement an emergency action plan
Remember: Higher antibody levels don't always predict more severe reactions—individual responses vary significantly.
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 or special dietary preparation is required. Continue eating normally before your test. Inform your healthcare provider about all medications, especially antihistamines, though you typically don't need to stop them.
Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily for the blood draw. Bring your photo ID and test requisition form to the lab.
How often should I get tested?
Initial allergy screening
- Suggested interval: Once, with symptom correlation
Known allergy monitoring
- Suggested interval: Every 2–3 years or as symptoms change
Children with allergies
- Suggested interval: Annually to track potential outgrowing
After immunotherapy
- Suggested interval: 6–12 months post-treatment
Reaction severity changes
- Suggested interval: When symptoms worsen or improve
Why early detection matters
Early identification of berry allergies prevents potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, which affect up to 0.05-2% of the population (AAAAI 2023). Emergency room visits for severe allergic reactions cost thousands of dollars and can be avoided through proper identification and management.
Understanding your specific berry triggers allows for targeted dietary modifications while maintaining nutritional benefits from safe foods. Early detection also enables proper emergency preparedness, including carrying epinephrine auto-injectors when necessary.
Related tests you may consider
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.
Papaya Allergy IgE Blood Test - Measures the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the blood to detect an allergy to papayas.
