Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Quick results – Get answers in 2–5 business days without waiting for specialist appointments
- No discomfort – Simple blood draw replaces uncomfortable skin prick testing
- High accuracy – Uses advanced ImmunoCAP® technology with 85%+ sensitivity and specificity
- Convenient access – Order online and visit 4,500+ nationwide collection sites
- Proactive health – Identify grape allergy before severe reactions occur
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing allergic symptoms after eating grapes or grape products
- Individuals with unexplained hives, swelling, or digestive issues after meals
- Those needing allergy confirmation before starting immunotherapy treatment
- People wanting to avoid skin test discomfort or irritation
- Anyone with family history of food allergies seeking proactive screening
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No doctor's prescription needed in most states
- Visit a lab - Quick blood draw at any convenient location near you
- Get results - Secure online delivery
FAQ
What does this test measure? It detects grape-specific IgE antibodies in your blood to confirm allergic sensitization.
How accurate are the results? ImmunoCAP® technology provides over 85% accuracy for food allergen detection (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Can I eat grapes before the test? Yes, no dietary restrictions or fasting required before blood collection.
What if my results are positive? Consult an allergist for treatment planning and consider carrying emergency epinephrine if prescribed.
Is this better than skin prick tests? Both are effective; blood tests offer convenience and avoid skin irritation risks.
How common are grape allergies? Grape allergies are uncommon but can cause severe reactions including anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This blood test measures specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that react to grape allergens, particularly the lipid transfer protein Vit v 1. When your immune system mistakenly identifies grape proteins as harmful, it produces IgE antibodies that trigger allergic reactions. The test uses advanced Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) methodology to quantify these antibodies and confirm grape allergy diagnosis (Food Allergy Research & Education 2021).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is ideal for individuals experiencing unexplained allergic symptoms that may be grape-related. You should consider testing if you develop hives, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, breathing difficulties, or anaphylaxis after consuming grapes, wine, raisins, grape juice, or other grape-containing products. It's also valuable for people requiring allergy confirmation before immunotherapy or those wanting to differentiate grape allergy from other fruit allergies in complex cases.
When should I order Grape Allergy Blood Test?
Order this test when you experience allergic symptoms within minutes to hours after grape exposure. Common triggers include fresh grapes, dried grapes (raisins), grape juice, wine, grape seed oil, and foods containing grape ingredients. The test is particularly important if you've had severe reactions or want to confirm suspected grape allergy before avoiding grape products entirely. Early testing helps prevent potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.
How do I interpret the results?
Results are reported as IgE levels measured in kU/L (kilounits per liter). Here's how to understand your results:
IgE < 0.10 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No sensitization detected
- Typical action: Grape allergy unlikely
IgE 0.10–0.34 kU/L
- What it means: Borderline – Minimal sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms, consult physician
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Low positive – Mild sensitization
- Typical action: Avoid grapes, carry antihistamines
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L
- What it means: Moderate positive – Significant sensitization
- Typical action: Strict avoidance, consider epinephrine
IgE 3.50–17.4 kU/L
- What it means: High positive – Strong sensitization
- Typical action: Complete avoidance, carry epinephrine
IgE > 17.4 kU/L
- What it means: Very high positive – Severe sensitization
- Typical action: Urgent allergy specialist consultation
Higher IgE levels generally correlate with increased risk of severe allergic reactions, but individual responses can vary.
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 blood test. You don't need to fast, avoid medications, or stop eating grapes beforehand. The test measures your current IgE antibody levels regardless of recent grape consumption. Simply schedule your appointment at a convenient walk-in lab location. The blood draw takes just a few minutes and requires no advance preparation.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your specific circumstances and clinical history:
- Initial diagnosis: One-time test for confirmation
- Monitoring during immunotherapy: Every 6–12 months as directed
- Suspected allergy development: As symptoms warrant
- Following severe reaction: Consult allergist for timing
- Routine monitoring (known allergy): Not typically necessary
Why early detection matters
Early grape allergy detection prevents potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Food allergies affect approximately 8% of children and 10% of adults in the United States, with fruit allergies being less common but clinically significant (PubMed 2005). Identifying grape allergy early enables proper avoidance strategies, emergency medication planning, and reduces healthcare costs associated with severe allergic reactions. Timely diagnosis also improves quality of life by eliminating uncertainty around symptoms.
Related tests you may consider
Grapefruit Allergy IgE Blood Test- Measures the IgE antibody levels in the blood to help detect an allergy to grapefruit.
IgG Food Antibodies (87 IgG Foods + Total IgE) - Genova Test Kit - Measures antibodies to 87 commonly consumed foods and provides a total IgE measurement to screen for food allergies or sensitivities.
IgE Food Allergy Basic Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit- Checks for allergic reactions to 26 common foods by measuring IgE antibody levels in the blood, helping identify foods that may cause symptoms like rashes, stomach issues, or breathing problems.
