Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Accurate diagnosis - Detects chicken-specific IgE antibodies using advanced immunoassay technology
- No doctor referral - Order directly online and visit any local lab
- Quick results - Get confidential results in 3-5 days securely online
- Prevent severe reactions - Identify chicken allergy before experiencing anaphylaxis
- Cross-reactivity insights - Helps identify related allergies to eggs and poultry
- Peace of mind - Make informed dietary decisions with scientific certainty
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after eating chicken or poultry products
- People with unexplained hives, digestive issues, or respiratory problems after meals
- Those with family history of food allergies seeking preventive screening
- Individuals with known egg allergies checking for cross-reactive chicken sensitivity
- Anyone wanting to confirm or rule out chicken allergy without invasive testing
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
- Visit a lab - Get a simple blood draw at any participating location
- Get results - Receive results securely online within 3-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to chicken proteins in your blood to diagnose chicken allergy.
Can chicken allergy cause reactions to eggs too? Yes, due to cross-reactivity called bird-egg syndrome, some people allergic to chicken also react to egg yolks (Lupin Diagnostics 2024).
How common is chicken allergy? Poultry allergy is uncommon, with global prevalence varying from 0-13% depending on population and diagnostic criteria (Mayo Clinic Labs 2024).
What should I avoid if I test positive? Avoid chicken meat, chicken broth, canned soups with chicken, poultry flavorings, and premade dishes containing chicken products.
Can I take this test while on antihistamines? Inform your healthcare provider about antihistamines or immunosuppressive medications, as they may affect results accuracy.
What if I have severe allergic reactions? Seek immediate medical attention for anaphylaxis symptoms like difficulty breathing, swollen throat, or loss of consciousness.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Chicken Allergy IgE Blood Test measures immunoglobulin E antibodies specific to chicken proteins in your blood. When you have a chicken allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies chicken proteins as harmful invaders and produces IgE antibodies. This test quantifies these antibodies using Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology, providing a direct and reliable method to diagnose chicken allergy without requiring skin testing or supervised food challenges (Mayo Clinic Labs 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is valuable for individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after consuming chicken or related products, including hives, vomiting, respiratory distress, or gastrointestinal upset. Health-conscious consumers seeking convenient, direct-access testing will appreciate the ability to confirm or rule out chicken allergy without physician referrals. It's particularly beneficial for people with egg allergies checking for cross-reactivity, families with allergy histories, and anyone wanting to make informed dietary decisions (Walk-In Lab 2024).
When should I order this test?
Order this test when you experience allergic symptoms within minutes to hours after eating chicken, including tingling around the mouth, swelling, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, hives, congestion, or difficulty breathing. Consider testing if you have known poultry or egg allergies, family history of food allergies, or unexplained allergic reactions that could be food-related (Lupin Diagnostics 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
IgE < 0.10 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No allergy detected
- Typical action: Chicken consumption likely safe
IgE 0.10–0.55 kU/L
- What it means: Low sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms, consider avoidance
IgE 0.56–3.50 kU/L
- What it means: Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Likely clinical allergy, avoid chicken
IgE 3.51–19.0 kU/L
- What it means: High sensitization
- Typical action: Significant allergy, strict avoidance needed
IgE > 19.0 kU/L
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Severe allergy risk, carry emergency medication
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 adjust medications beforehand. However, inform your healthcare provider if you're taking antihistamines or immunosuppressive drugs, as these medications may potentially affect results accuracy. The blood draw takes less than 5 minutes and requires no dietary restrictions (MedlinePlus 2024).
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis: One-time test unless symptoms change
- Monitoring known allergy: Every 1–2 years or as symptoms change
- After allergy treatment: 6–12 months post-treatment
- Children with allergies: Annual monitoring during growth
- New symptom onset: Immediate testing recommended
Why early detection matters
Early identification of chicken allergy prevents potentially severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. Timely diagnosis reduces emergency healthcare costs and enables proactive management through targeted dietary avoidance. Understanding your specific allergen profile helps prevent cross-reactive responses to related proteins in eggs and other poultry. Early detection supports better quality of life through informed food choices and appropriate emergency preparedness (PubMed Central 2020).
Related tests you may consider
Egg Allergy IgE Blood Test - to assess cross-reactivity due to bird-egg syndrome common in chicken-allergic individuals.
Egg Component Allergy IgE Blood Test – This test measures IgE antibodies to specific egg proteins (such as ovalbumin and ovomucoid) to help identify egg allergies.
IgE Food Allergy Advanced Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit - helps identify overall allergic tendencies and additional food sensitivities for comprehensive allergy management.
