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 This Test Measures
The Cheddar Cheese Allergy IgE Blood Test measures IgE antibody levels in your blood for one biomarker: F081-IgE Cheese, Cheddar Type (also known as Cheese, Cheddar Type). It is a single food allergen test, so it looks only at IgE directed at cheddar type cheese.
IgE is the only antibody class measured. A result reflects IgE sensitization to this cheese, which is not the same as a confirmed clinical food allergy. The test does not measure other cheeses, other dairy foods, or other antibody classes such as IgG. It also does not determine reaction severity or whether a food is safe to eat.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibody levels to cheddar-type cheese in a blood sample.
- Provides one focused biomarker result for a single food allergen.
- Gives you IgE information to discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Requires no special preparation before your blood draw.
Who Is This Test For?
- You have had symptoms you connect with a possible cheese allergy.
- You have had reactions after eating cheese that ranged from mild to severe.
- You noticed symptoms starting within minutes or hours of eating cheese.
- You want IgE information about cheddar-type cheese to discuss with a provider.
- You are exploring IgE sensitization to cheese from food-related or occupational exposure.
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?
You get one result: IgE antibody levels in your blood for F081, Cheese, Cheddar Type. It does not test other cheeses, other dairy foods, or other antibody classes such as IgG, and these are not interchangeable with IgE. Cheese-making methods vary, and caseins remain in cheese while some whey allergens are removed, but this test reports only the single cheddar type biomarker.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
If you have had symptoms after eating cheese, this test may be worth considering. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and may include tingling near the mouth, swelling, abdominal discomfort, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, itching or hives, congestion, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, or lightheadedness.
Most food-related symptoms begin within two hours of eating, often within minutes. In rare cases, a response may be delayed by four to six hours or longer. Anaphylaxis (rapid heart rate, throat swelling, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness) requires immediate medical attention.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Expect results in 3-5 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what should I do if they are abnormal?
A result shows IgE antibody levels to cheddar-type cheese, which is not the same as a confirmed clinical food allergy. What it means depends on your result, symptoms, and history. It does not predict reaction severity, guarantee that a food is safe, or automatically mean a food must be avoided.
If your result is outside the reference range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider. They can decide whether further evaluation is appropriate.
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.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes similar proteins in different foods or substances. This test measures only IgE to cheddar-type cheese and does not test for any of the items below. These examples are not exhaustive and are possible considerations, not confirmed allergies. If related reactions are a concern, testing for related allergens may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider, based on your history and symptoms.
- Cow's milk and other cow's milk dairy foods: Cheese is made from milk, and casein proteins may be shared across cheese, milk, and other dairy foods.
- Goat's milk and goat cheese: Casein similarities have been associated with cross-reactivity, and many people allergic to cow's milk may also react to goat's milk.
- Sheep's milk and sheep cheese: Shared casein proteins may lead some people to react to sheep's milk products as well.
- Mare's milk: Cross-reactivity with cow's milk casein has been reported in some people with cow's milk allergy.
- Beef: Cow's milk and beef share bovine serum albumin. Beef reactions are uncommon, but have been reported mainly with raw meat.
