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 three individual berries.
- Strawberry (F044): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to strawberry.
- Blueberry (F288): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to blueberry.
- Raspberry (F343): Measures IgE antibody levels specific to raspberry.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibody response to three specific berries in one panel.
- Combines related berry allergens into a single blood draw.
- Provides individual antibody results for each tested berry.
- Requires no special preparation before testing.
- Offers a convenient starting point for berry-related IgE evaluation.
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals who experience symptoms after eating strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
- People who notice tingling, swelling, or itching after eating one or more of these berries.
- Those who experience digestive symptoms like nausea or abdominal pain after berry ingestion.
- Individuals wanting IgE antibody information on these three specific berries in one panel.
- People whose healthcare provider has suggested IgE testing for these berries.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this panel test?
This panel measures IgE antibody levels for three specific berries: strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry. It's designed to help identify a possible IgE-mediated sensitivity to one or more of these individual berries, giving you a separate antibody result for each.
2. Does this panel test every food in the berry category?
No. This panel only measures IgE antibodies to the three berries listed above: strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry. Many other fruits are commonly grouped under "berries" in everyday language, but this panel does not test for any food beyond the three listed items.
3. How does this panel differ from individual food allergy tests?
This panel measures three specified berry allergens together in a single blood draw, while an individual food allergy test measures IgE antibodies to just one specified food. Choosing between the two comes down to how many allergens you want evaluated in one order, not one approach being more accurate than the other.
4. Who should consider this panel, and when?
This panel may be relevant if you've noticed symptoms, such as oral tingling, swelling, hives, or digestive discomfort, after eating strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. It can also be a useful starting point if you're curious about your IgE response to these three berries specifically, whether symptoms occurred once or on repeated occasions.
5. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can proceed with your normal diet and routine before your blood draw.
6. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 5 business 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 berry's IgE result should be reviewed individually rather than as a single combined score, since a result for one berry does not indicate what your result will be for another. An elevated IgE level reflects antibody sensitization and does not, by itself, confirm that you will have a clinical reaction if you eat that berry, nor does a negative result guarantee the food is safe to consume. If any of your results are abnormal, review them with a qualified healthcare provider, who can help place the findings in the context of your symptoms and history before making any dietary changes.
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 occurs when the immune system recognizes structurally similar proteins across different foods or pollens, sometimes triggering a reaction to a food that hasn't been eaten before or hasn't previously caused symptoms. This panel measures only strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry IgE as listed in What's Included. The foods and pollens discussed below are not part of this panel unless they appear in that list. The relationships below are not an exhaustive list, and having a cross-reactive sensitivity does not mean a person will necessarily experience a clinical reaction to another food mentioned here. Depending on your symptoms, history, or prior reactions, discussing related allergen testing with your healthcare provider may be worth considering.
Birch pollen: Strawberry contains a protein similar to the major birch pollen allergen, and people with birch pollen sensitivity may also react to raw strawberries as part of pollen-food allergy syndrome (oral allergy syndrome).
Other Rosaceae fruits (apple, peach, pear, cherry, plum, apricot, almond): Strawberry and raspberry belong to the Rosaceae family, and cross-reactivity among these fruits has been documented, though clinical studies show that immunologic cross-reactivity (positive test results) does not always translate into a true clinical reaction to every related fruit.
Blackberry and other Rosoideae berries: Raspberry belongs to the same Rosaceae subgroup as blackberry, and shared allergenic proteins across this subgroup have been reported.
Other pollen-associated fruits and vegetables: Pollen-food allergy syndrome linked to birch and related tree pollens has also been associated with a range of other raw fruits and vegetables in some individuals, reflecting shared heat-sensitive plant proteins rather than a direct relationship between the berries themselves.
If you experience symptoms with foods or pollens outside this panel, or your reaction history suggests broader sensitivities, your healthcare provider can help determine whether additional evaluation may be appropriate.
