Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Non-invasive alternative to uncomfortable skin prick testing
- Fast results in 2-5 business days help you make informed dietary decisions quickly
- High accuracy with FDA-cleared ImmunoCAP technology (80-90% sensitivity)
- No physician referral needed for convenient direct lab access
- Confidential results delivered through secure online portals
- Supports allergy management planning with healthcare providers
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults experiencing unexplained symptoms after eating cheddar cheese
- Individuals with suspected dairy allergies seeking specific allergen identification
- People avoiding skin testing due to sensitivity or medication interactions
- Those preparing for allergy immunotherapy requiring baseline measurements
- Health-conscious consumers wanting proactive allergy screening
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and visit any lab location for a simple blood draw
- Lab analyzes your serum for cheddar cheese-specific IgE antibodies using ImmunoCAP technology
- Receive results within 2-5 business days through secure online portal
FAQ
What does this test detect? Specific IgE antibodies that react to cheddar cheese proteins, indicating potential allergy.
Is this better than skin prick tests? It's equally accurate but more comfortable, with no risk of skin reactions during testing.
Can I eat cheese before the test? Yes, recent cheese consumption won't affect results. No dietary restrictions needed.
What if my results are positive? Consult an allergist to confirm diagnosis and develop an appropriate management plan.
Do antihistamines affect results? Blood IgE tests aren't affected by antihistamines, unlike skin testing.
How accurate are the results? ImmunoCAP testing shows 80-90% accuracy for detecting food-specific IgE antibodies.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This blood test detects allergen-specific IgE antibodies against cheddar cheese proteins to identify IgE-mediated allergic reactions. The FDA-cleared ImmunoCAP® Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) method binds cheddar cheese allergens to measure specific antibody responses (Eurofins Viracor 2003). Unlike skin testing, this laboratory approach provides accurate allergy detection without exposing you to potential allergens during the testing process.
Who would benefit from this test?
Individuals experiencing symptoms like hives, swelling, digestive issues, or respiratory problems after consuming cheddar cheese should consider this test. It's particularly valuable for people unable to undergo skin prick testing due to skin conditions, medication use, or anxiety about potential reactions. Healthcare providers also use this test to establish baseline measurements before starting allergy immunotherapy or to monitor changes in sensitization over time.
When should I order Cheddar Cheese Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when your clinical history suggests allergic reactions following cheddar cheese consumption. Symptoms may include tingling around the mouth, swelling, abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, hives, congestion, or breathing difficulties. Most food allergic reactions occur within two hours of ingestion, though some may be delayed. Seek immediate medical attention for severe reactions like anaphylaxis, characterized by rapid heart rate, throat swelling, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness.
How do I interpret the results?
Results are reported as IgE antibody levels in classes or kU/L measurements. Higher levels suggest stronger sensitization, but clinical correlation with symptoms is essential for diagnosis.
IgE < 0.35 kU/L (Class 0)
- What it means: No detectable IgE
- Typical action: Allergy unlikely
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L (Class 1)
- What it means: Low sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L (Class 2)
- What it means: Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Consider avoidance
IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L (Class 3)
- What it means: High sensitization
- Typical action: Likely allergic – avoid exposure
IgE > 17.50 kU/L (Class 4–6)
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Strong allergy likely – strict avoidance
Remember: Positive IgE tests indicate sensitization but don't always predict clinical symptoms - correlation with your reaction history is crucial.
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 restrictions are required. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your arm for blood collection. Inform the lab if you're taking medications, though antihistamines won't interfere with blood IgE testing. The standard blood draw requires approximately 5 mL of blood collected in a serum tube.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your clinical situation and allergy management needs.
- Initial allergy evaluation: One-time baseline testing
- Monitoring during immunotherapy: Every 6–12 months
- Childhood allergies (potential outgrowing): Every 2–3 years
- Changing symptoms: As clinically indicated
- Stable, confirmed allergy: Repeat testing rarely needed
Why early detection matters
Early allergy identification prevents potentially serious reactions and improves quality of life through informed dietary choices. Approximately 2-3% of adults report food allergies, with dairy products among common triggers (CDC 2023). Accurate diagnosis reduces emergency healthcare visits for anaphylaxis, lowers costs associated with misdiagnosis, and enables proper preparation with emergency medications like epinephrine when needed.
Related tests you may consider
Milk Allergy IgE Blood Test- Measures IgE antibody levels in the blood to help detect an allergy to cow's milk.
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE - Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Casein Allergy Blood Test, IgE - Measures IgE antibody levels in the blood to screen for an allergy to the milk protein casein.
