Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- No skin irritation - avoid discomfort of traditional skin prick tests
- Walk-in convenience - available at 4,500+ locations nationwide without appointment
- Fast results - get answers within 2-5 business days to guide your health decisions
- High accuracy - reliable IgE measurement helps confirm or rule out celery allergy
- Confidential testing - private results on a secure portal
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing allergic symptoms after eating celery or celery-containing foods
- Individuals with birch pollen allergy seeking to identify cross-reactive food sensitivities
- Those needing allergy confirmation before starting immunotherapy treatment
- Anyone with family history of food allergies wanting proactive screening
- People unable to undergo skin prick testing due to skin conditions
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Visit any lab location - no appointment needed, just walk in when convenient
- Quick blood draw - simple 5-minute procedure with minimal discomfort
- Receive results - get detailed report within 2-5 business days via secure online portal
FAQ
What does this test measure? IgE antibodies specific to celery proteins in your blood that indicate allergic sensitization.
Can I eat celery before the test? Yes, no dietary restrictions are needed - continue your normal eating habits.
Will this test detect all types of celery allergies? Yes, it detects reactions to celery stalks, seeds, and celery root (celeriac).
How accurate is this blood test compared to skin testing? Blood IgE testing shows high concordance with gold-standard food challenge tests (Mayo Clinic 2019).
What if my results are positive? Consult with an allergist for comprehensive evaluation and management planning.
Can this test replace an oral food challenge? No, but it provides valuable supporting evidence when combined with clinical symptoms.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Celery Allergy IgE Blood Test measures immunoglobulin E antibodies specific to celery proteins in your blood. Elevated IgE levels indicate allergic sensitization to celery, helping healthcare providers confirm or rule out a celery allergy diagnosis. This test detects reactions to all forms of celery including stalks, seeds, and celery root, providing comprehensive allergy assessment (HealthLabs 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test benefits individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after celery consumption, particularly those with known birch pollen allergies due to cross-reactivity in pollen-food syndrome. It's valuable for patients needing allergy confirmation before immunotherapy, those unable to undergo skin prick tests, and people seeking preventive health insights with celery allergy risk factors (Enticare 2024).
When should I order Celery Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when experiencing allergic reactions after eating celery, including tingling around the mouth, swelling, digestive issues, hives, or respiratory symptoms. Consider testing if you have birch pollen allergy and suspect food cross-reactivity, or if other allergy tests were inconclusive. Immediate testing is important if you've experienced severe reactions or anaphylaxis symptoms.
How do I interpret the results?
Results are reported as IgE antibody levels measured in kU/L (kilo units per liter):
IgE Level: < 0.10 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – no detectable allergy
- Typical action: Celery likely safe to consume
IgE Level: 0.35 – 3.49 kU/L
- What it means: Positive – mild to moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Avoid celery, consult allergist
IgE Level: 3.50 – 17.49 kU/L
- What it means: Positive – moderate to high sensitization
- Typical action: Strict avoidance, carry emergency medication
IgE Level: > 17.50 kU/L
- What it means: Strongly positive – very high sensitization
- Typical action: Complete avoidance, emergency action plan
Results must be interpreted alongside your clinical symptoms and medical history for accurate diagnosis.
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. You don't need to fast or avoid celery before testing. Continue taking your regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider. The blood draw takes only a few minutes and requires no advance planning (Mayo Clinic 2019).
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis: One-time test unless symptoms change
- Monitoring during immunotherapy: Every 6–12 months as directed
- Suspected new sensitivity: Retest when symptoms develop
- Children with allergies: Every 1–2 years to monitor changes
Why early detection matters
Early celery allergy detection prevents severe allergic reactions including life-threatening anaphylaxis. Celery allergy prevalence is increasing, particularly in populations with birch pollen sensitivity. Identifying this allergy early reduces emergency healthcare interventions and enables proactive management through avoidance strategies and emergency medication planning (PMC 2020).
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