Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation required
- Turnaround: 2-5 business days (may take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays)
What's Included
This test measures F260-IgE Broccoli, the allergen-specific IgE antibody your immune system produces in response to broccoli. IgE antibodies form when the immune system identifies a substance as a threat, and their presence can trigger the release of histamine and related allergic symptoms.
This is a single allergen IgE blood test. It reports on broccoli only and does not include results for any other food, allergen, or antibody class. A blood sample is collected and analyzed in a laboratory to quantify the amount of broccoli-specific IgE present.
Benefits
- Measures allergen-specific IgE for broccoli from a single blood draw
- Offers a straightforward alternative to at-home elimination guessing
- Provides lab-grade antibody data to share with your provider
- Simple blood collection with no special preparation required
- Results returned in a matter of days, not weeks
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals who experience symptoms after eating broccoli and want lab data to discuss with a provider
- People exploring whether broccoli sensitivity may be contributing to symptoms like mouth tingling, hives, or swelling
- Those who have noticed a pattern of reactions after broccoli exposure and want an objective starting point
- Individuals working with a healthcare provider to investigate food-related symptoms
- People who prefer a single, targeted test rather than broader unfocused testing
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this test measure, and how is it different from other food allergy tests?
This test measures a single biomarker, F260-IgE Broccoli, the allergen-specific IgE antibody your body produces in response to broccoli. Unlike a broader food allergy panel, it does not screen multiple foods at once. It is a targeted test intended for someone who wants information specific to broccoli rather than a wide-ranging survey of many allergens.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Anyone who notices symptoms such as itching, mouth tingling, coughing, hives, or swelling after eating broccoli may find this test relevant to discuss with a healthcare provider. It can also be a useful starting point if you suspect broccoli specifically, rather than food in general, is connected to your symptoms. This test is not intended as a general screening tool for anyone simply curious about food allergies at large.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can schedule your blood draw at a time that is convenient for you without adjusting your diet or fasting beforehand. Do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
4. How long will it take to get my results?
Results are typically available in 2-5 business days after your sample is collected. Turnaround may take longer depending on weather, holidays, or other lab delays. You can check your results online once they are ready.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
Your result reflects the level of broccoli-specific IgE antibody detected in your blood, and interpretation depends on this value together with your symptom history, prior reactions, and other clinical context that only a healthcare provider can fully assess. A positive result does not by itself confirm a clinical food allergy, and a negative result does not guarantee that broccoli can be consumed without any reaction. This test does not indicate how severe a future reaction might be. If your result falls outside the expected range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who may consider your history and, if appropriate, further evaluation. This test does not provide a diagnosis on its own.
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.
Do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity can occur when the immune system recognizes proteins in one substance that closely resemble proteins found in another food, pollen, or plant source. This test measures only broccoli-specific IgE and does not test for any of the additional items discussed below. The examples that follow are not an exhaustive list, and they are meant as general educational context rather than a prediction that you will react to any of them. Whether a related allergen is clinically relevant depends on your individual history, symptoms, and a healthcare provider's guidance, and related allergen testing may be worth discussing with your provider if these relationships seem relevant to your situation.
- Mugwort pollen: Research has linked mugwort pollen sensitization to reactions involving broccoli and related plants, sometimes described as mugwort mustard allergy syndrome, in individuals who are also pollen sensitized.
- Other Brassicaceae vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard, turnip): Some studies report shared proteins among members of the cabbage family, though researchers disagree on how often this leads to a clinical reaction, and cross-reactivity within this family has been described as inconsistent.
- Peach: A lipid transfer protein identified in broccoli has been found to share structural similarity with a lipid transfer protein in peach, a relationship documented in case reports involving LTP associated food allergy.
- Lipid transfer protein (LTP) containing foods more broadly: Because LTPs are heat-stable proteins found across a range of unrelated fruits and vegetables, some individuals sensitized to one LTP source may show reactivity to others, though this varies by individual.
