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
This test measures IgE antibody levels specific to lemon (F208-IgE Lemon) in a blood sample. It detects sensitization to lemon, which occurs when your immune system produces IgE antibodies in response to lemon proteins, most notably the lipid transfer protein Cit l 1. This is a single allergen test focused specifically on lemon and does not measure sensitization to any other food.
Benefits
- Identifies IgE sensitization to lemon from a single blood draw
- No special preparation or fasting required
- Results returned in as few as 3-5 days
- Provides objective lab data to discuss with your healthcare provider
- Simple, targeted way to check for lemon-specific IgE
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have experienced symptoms after eating lemon or lemon-containing foods
- Individuals reacting to products like lemonade, marinades, or lemon-flavored desserts
- People exploring reactions to lemon-containing cosmetics, perfumes, or toothpaste
- Those working with a healthcare provider to investigate a possible lemon allergy
- People whose provider has recommended IgE testing for lemon specifically
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?
This test measures IgE antibodies specific to lemon only, using the F208 biomarker. It does not test for other citrus fruits, other foods, or other antibody classes such as IgG. Because it targets one specific allergen, it's narrower in scope than a multi-food allergy panel, which screens several foods at once.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Anyone who has noticed symptoms after eating lemon or lemon-containing foods, such as beverages, marinades, or desserts, may want to consider this test. It can also be relevant for people who react to lemon-scented cosmetics or personal care products. Testing is typically considered as part of a broader conversation with a healthcare provider about your symptoms and history.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can arrive at the lab and provide your blood sample without fasting or making changes to your diet beforehand.
4. How long will it take to get my results?
Results are typically available within 3-5 days. This timeframe may be extended due to weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they're abnormal?
Interpreting an IgE result involves considering the specific allergen measured, your symptom history, and other clinical factors together, not the lab value alone. A positive result reflects sensitization to lemon but does not by itself confirm a clinical allergy, predict reaction severity, or indicate whether lemon must be avoided. A negative result does not guarantee that lemon can be consumed without any reaction.
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.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes similar proteins in other foods or substances, even ones you haven't previously reacted to. This test measures only lemon-specific IgE and does not test for the additional foods listed below. These examples are not exhaustive, but they may provide useful context when considering whether related allergens could also be relevant based on your history, symptoms, or healthcare provider's guidance. A relationship listed here does not mean you will necessarily react to that food, and related allergen testing may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider if reactions to these items are a concern.
- Other Rutaceae fruits (orange, grapefruit, lime, mandarin, kumquat): These fruits are botanically related to lemon, and shared lipid transfer proteins have been associated with cross-reactivity between citrus fruits, though clinical relevance can vary by individual.
- Peach: Lemon's lipid transfer protein has been shown in research to share antibody cross-reactivity with the major peach allergen, Pru p 3, a well-documented allergen in lipid transfer protein syndrome.
- Other lipid transfer protein-containing foods (apple, hazelnut, walnut): People sensitized to lipid transfer proteins, as in lemon allergy, may in some cases also show reactivity to other LTP-containing plant foods, though this varies widely between individuals.
