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
- Pinpoint your allergen – Accurately identifies IgE antibodies specific to mountain cedar pollen using advanced ImmunoCAP® technology (Mayo Clinic 2024)
- Skip the doctor's office – Order online and visit a convenient lab location without needing a physician referral
- Fast, actionable results – Receive findings in 3-5 business days to guide treatment decisions
- Supports immunotherapy planning – Helps allergists design personalized desensitization programs and monitor progress (AAAAI 2025)
- Better quality of life – Early detection enables proactive symptom management and reduces healthcare costs
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing seasonal sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes during December-February in Texas or Rocky Mountain regions
- People with unexplained respiratory symptoms coinciding with mountain cedar pollen season
- Anyone considering allergen immunotherapy who needs baseline sensitization documentation
- Patients tracking treatment effectiveness through serial IgE level measurements
- Health-conscious consumers seeking convenient, confidential allergy testing
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online – Select your test and complete checkout; no appointment needed
- Visit a lab – Get a quick blood draw at a local patient service center near you
- Access results – Receive findings in your secure online account within 3-5 business days.
FAQ
What does this test measure? It detects and quantifies IgE antibodies against mountain cedar pollen in your blood serum.
Do I need to fast before the test? No fasting or special preparation is required before your blood draw.
How accurate is this test? Allergy blood testing demonstrates 90-95% specificity for allergens including cedar pollen (Wyndly 2024).
Can I take allergy medications before testing? Yes, antihistamines and other allergy medications do not affect blood IgE test results.
What if my results are positive? Positive results indicate sensitization; consult an allergist to correlate findings with your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures specific IgE antibodies in your blood that indicate allergic sensitization to mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollen. Mountain cedar is a low-growing evergreen native to central Texas and the Rocky Mountain region, producing pollen from December through February. The test uses ImmunoCAP® Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology, the gold standard for allergen-specific IgE detection (Mayo Clinic 2024). Results help distinguish true allergic reactions from other respiratory conditions and guide evidence-based treatment decisions including immunotherapy.
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit if you experience hay fever symptoms—sneezing, runny nose, congestion, red or watery eyes, sore throat, or itchy skin—during winter months in mountain cedar regions. The test is valuable for anyone with seasonal asthma exacerbations, chronic respiratory symptoms without clear cause, or those considering allergen immunotherapy. People planning relocation to Texas or the Rocky Mountains can use this test proactively. It's also useful for monitoring treatment response in patients undergoing desensitization therapy (ARUP Laboratories 2025).
When should I order Mountain Cedar Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when symptoms coincide with mountain cedar pollen season (December-February), before starting immunotherapy, or when your allergist recommends baseline documentation. Testing during active symptoms isn't required—IgE antibodies remain detectable year-round. Consider testing if you experience worsening respiratory symptoms after moving to affected regions. For those already in treatment, your allergist may recommend periodic retesting to track IgE level changes and assess immunotherapy effectiveness (AAAAI 2025).
How do I interpret the results?
Results are reported in kU/L (kilounits per liter), with higher values indicating greater allergic sensitization:
<0.35 kU/L
- Meaning: Negative – No detectable sensitization
- Typical action: Mountain cedar unlikely the cause; explore other triggers
0.35–0.69 kU/L (Class 1 – Low sensitization)
- Meaning: Mild allergy possible
- Typical action: Correlate with symptoms
0.70–3.49 kU/L (Class 2 – Moderate sensitization)
- Meaning: Moderate allergy
- Typical action: Consider environmental controls and antihistamines
3.50–17.49 kU/L (Class 3 – High sensitization)
- Meaning: Likely significant allergy
- Typical action: Discuss immunotherapy options
17.50–49.99 kU/L (Class 4 – Very high sensitization)
- Meaning: Strong allergy
- Typical action: Comprehensive management needed
50.00–100.00 kU/L (Class 5 – Extremely high sensitization)
- Meaning: Severe allergy
- Typical action: Specialist consultation recommended
>100.00 kU/L (Class 6 – Exceptionally high sensitization)
- Meaning: Extreme allergy
- Typical action: Aggressive treatment warranted
Positive IgE results confirm sensitization but must be interpreted alongside your clinical history and symptoms for accurate diagnosis (PubMed Central 2020).
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 fasting, dietary restrictions, or medication changes are needed. You can take your regular allergy medications—unlike skin testing, blood IgE tests aren't affected by antihistamines or steroids. Provide 0.3-0.5 mL of blood serum collected in a serum separator tube. Avoid testing during active infections when possible, as illness may temporarily affect immune markers. Inform the lab of any recent immunoglobulin therapy, which could interfere with results.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis: Once to establish baseline sensitization
- Pre-immunotherapy: Once before starting treatment
- During immunotherapy: Annually or as directed by allergist
- Symptom changes: As needed to reassess sensitization
- Treatment monitoring: Every 1–2 years during maintenance therapy
Why early detection matters
Mountain cedar pollen is among the most potent respiratory allergens, with high sensitization rates in affected geographic areas (Mayo Clinic 2024). Early diagnosis enables proactive symptom control through environmental modifications, targeted medications, and immunotherapy—reducing healthcare utilization and significantly improving quality of life (AAAAI 2025). Untreated allergies can progress to chronic sinusitis, asthma development, or sleep disturbances. Identifying sensitization before symptoms become severe allows you to implement preventive strategies like air filtration, timing outdoor activities, and starting medications before peak pollen season.
Related tests you may consider
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE – Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Allergen Profile Mold Blood Test – Measures IgE antibodies in the blood to detect an allergy to various common molds.
IgE Inhalants Blood Test- Genova Test Kit – Evaluates serum IgE antibody levels to 14 region-specific common pollens and environmental inhalants. This is an ideal test for patients with suspected environmental and/or seasonal allergies.
