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 — Measures specific IgE antibodies to milk proteins using advanced ImmunoCAP® technology
- Convenient testing — Order online and visit any local lab location without a doctor's appointment
- Component analysis — Reflex testing identifies specific milk proteins (casein, whey) for targeted management
- Age-appropriate — Safe and effective for infants, children, and adults of all ages
- Quick results — Get confidential results within just 3-5 days
- Allergy differentiation — Distinguishes true milk allergy from lactose intolerance for proper treatment
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals with suspected milk allergy experiencing digestive, skin, or respiratory symptoms after dairy
- Parents of infants and children showing adverse reactions to milk or milk-based formulas
- People with family history of food allergies seeking proactive health screening
- Anyone needing clarity between milk allergy and lactose intolerance for dietary planning
- Patients monitoring known milk allergies over time or after dietary changes
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
- Visit a lab — Go to any convenient lab location for a quick blood draw
- Get results — Access your confidential results online in 3-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test measures IgE antibodies against cow's milk proteins including casein, beta-lactoglobulin, and alpha-lactalbumin to detect allergic immune responses.
How is this different from lactose intolerance testing? Lactose intolerance is a digestive enzyme deficiency, not an immune allergy. This test detects allergic immune responses to milk proteins.
Do I need to avoid milk before testing? No special preparation is required. You can continue your normal diet and medications before the test.
What if my results are elevated? Elevated IgE levels indicate sensitization to milk proteins. Consult with a healthcare provider or allergist to interpret results and plan appropriate management.
How accurate is this test? The test uses high-accuracy platforms like Thermo Fisher ImmunoCAP® with component-resolved testing for enhanced diagnostic specificity and clinical risk assessment.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Milk Allergy IgE Blood Test measures specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that react to cow's milk proteins. When you have a milk allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies milk proteins as harmful substances and produces IgE antibodies. This test helps confirm or rule out an IgE-mediated milk allergy, which is different from lactose intolerance or other adverse milk reactions (Mayo Clinic 2022).
The test uses advanced technology like Thermo Fisher ImmunoCAP® and includes reflex testing for specific milk components when screening levels exceed 0.35 kU/L, providing detailed information about which milk proteins trigger your immune response.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for individuals experiencing symptoms after consuming dairy products, including gastrointestinal distress, skin reactions, or respiratory issues. It's especially important for infants and young children, as approximately 2-3% of children are affected by milk allergy, though many outgrow it by ages 3-5 (Mayo Clinic 2022).
Adults can also develop milk allergies at any age, making this test useful for anyone with new-onset symptoms. Families with a history of food allergies benefit from proactive screening, and the test helps healthcare providers differentiate between various adverse milk reactions for appropriate treatment planning.
When should I order a Milk Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test if you experience allergic symptoms after consuming dairy products. Common symptoms include digestive issues (diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting), skin reactions (hives, itching around mouth), or respiratory problems (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath). Some individuals may experience swelling of lips, tongue, or throat, along with watery eyes and runny nose.
In severe cases, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction requiring immediate medical attention. Signs include rapid pulse, swollen throat making breathing difficult, low blood pressure, and extreme dizziness or loss of consciousness. If you've experienced any severe reactions, seek immediate medical care and discuss allergy testing with your healthcare provider.
How do I interpret the results?
IgE < 0.35 kU/L
- What it means: No detectable sensitization
- Typical action: Milk allergy unlikely; consider other causes
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Low level sensitization
- Typical action: May tolerate milk; monitor symptoms
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L
- What it means: Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Likely allergic; avoid milk products
IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L
- What it means: High sensitization
- Typical action: Strong allergy indication; strict avoidance
IgE > 17.50 kU/L
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: High risk of severe reactions; have an emergency plan
Component-resolved IgE testing improves prediction of severe reactions compared to whole allergen extracts, enhancing diagnostic specificity and clinical risk assessment.
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, avoid medications, or make any dietary changes before your blood draw. Continue taking your regular medications and eating your normal diet. The test can be performed at any time of day at your convenience.
Simply bring your lab requisition form and a valid ID to any participating lab location. The blood draw takes just a few minutes, and you can resume normal activities immediately afterward.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis – Once, with follow-up as clinically indicated
- Children with milk allergy – Annually to monitor if outgrowing allergy
- Adults with known allergy – Every 2–3 years or if symptoms change
- After dietary reintroduction – 3–6 months after attempting to reintroduce milk
- Treatment monitoring – As recommended by allergist or healthcare provider
Why early detection matters
Early detection of milk allergy significantly reduces the risk of severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. This decreases emergency healthcare utilization and improves quality of life for both patients and families (ESPGHAN 2024).
Proper diagnosis enables timely dietary adjustments and prevents unnecessary dietary restrictions. It also facilitates appropriate nutritional counseling to ensure balanced nutrition when avoiding dairy products. With the 3-5 day turnaround time, you can quickly implement safety measures and work with healthcare providers to develop comprehensive management plans.
Related tests you may consider
Lactose Intolerance Test — Differentiates milk allergy from lactose intolerance, which involves digestive enzyme deficiency rather than immune response.
Total IgE Test — Provides overview of overall allergic sensitization status, useful for evaluating multiple allergies.
IgE Food Allergy Advanced Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit— Tests for common food allergens including eggs, nuts, wheat, and soy alongside milk.
