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
- Pinpoint your trigger - Identifies specific IgE antibodies to mugwort pollen for accurate allergy diagnosis
- Skip the doctor visit - Order online and visit any local collection site without a physician referral
- Plan smarter care - Results support allergen-specific immunotherapy decisions and personalized management strategies
- Non-invasive testing - ImmunoCAP® technology delivers reliable results from a simple blood draw
- Complement other tests - Use alongside skin testing or broader allergy panels for comprehensive assessment
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms during summer and early fall months
- People with hay fever, allergic rhinitis, or asthma symptoms during mugwort pollen season
- Those considering allergen-specific immunotherapy who need confirmed sensitization testing
- Individuals with known allergies to related plants (ragweed, birch, juniper) seeking additional clarity
- Anyone unable to discontinue antihistamines required for reliable skin prick testing
- People with complex allergy symptoms needing to identify specific triggers
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Select your test and complete checkout with no physician referral needed
- Visit a collection site - Bring your test order to any convenient local lab for a quick blood draw
- Review your results - Access findings online within 2-5 business days.
FAQ
What does this test measure? It detects specific IgE antibodies in your blood that indicate sensitization to mugwort pollen allergens.
Is fasting required before my blood draw? No, you can eat and drink normally before this test.
How accurate is this test compared to skin testing? ImmunoCAP IgE testing correlates closely with skin prick test results and offers reliable non-invasive diagnosis (PubMed Central 2020).
When is mugwort pollen season? Mugwort typically pollinates from June through September, with peak pollen levels occurring in July.
Can I use this test if I'm taking allergy medications? Yes, antihistamines and other allergy medications do not affect blood IgE testing results.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies directed against mugwort pollen (Artemisia vulgaris) using ImmunoCAP® Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay technology. It helps diagnose mugwort pollen allergy and identify the specific allergen causing your seasonal symptoms like sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and breathing difficulties (Mayo Clinic 2024). The quantitative results support clinical decisions about allergy management, immunotherapy eligibility, and environmental control strategies.
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from mugwort allergy testing if you experience seasonal allergy symptoms during summer months, particularly July through September. This test is valuable for individuals with suspected hay fever or allergic rhinitis, those considering allergen immunotherapy who need confirmed sensitization, and people with known cross-reactive allergies to related plants in the Asteraceae family. It's especially useful if you cannot discontinue antihistamines for skin testing or need quantitative results to monitor immunotherapy progress (AAAAI 2025).
When should I order this Mugwort Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when you experience seasonal allergy symptoms coinciding with mugwort pollen season, typically June through September. Testing is recommended before starting allergen-specific immunotherapy to confirm sensitization. Consider testing if you have persistent unexplained respiratory symptoms during late summer, known allergies to related plants, or if you need to differentiate between multiple potential allergen triggers. Year-round testing is acceptable, though symptom correlation is strongest during pollen season.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results show the concentration of mugwort-specific IgE antibodies in your blood, measured in kilounits per liter (kU/L):
IgE < 0.10 kU/L:
- Negative – no sensitization detected
- .Action: Mugwort unlikely to be your allergen trigger
IgE 0.10–0.34 kU/L:
- Borderline – unclear clinical significance
- Action: Discuss with allergist; may need additional testing
IgE ≥ 0.35 kU/L:
- Positive – sensitization confirmed
- Action: Consider allergen avoidance, medication, or immunotherapy
IgE ≥ 17.50 kU/L:
- Very high – strong sensitization
- Action: Heightened precautions and comprehensive allergy management
A positive IgE test indicates sensitization but doesn't always predict symptom severity—clinical correlation with your symptom history is essential.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performinga lb. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or special preparation is required for this test. You can take your regular medications, including antihistamines, as blood IgE testing is not affected by these drugs. Inform your healthcare provider of any medications you're taking. The blood draw requires only 0.3-0.5 mL of serum collected in a serum separator tube. If you're scheduling skin prick testing in addition to this blood test, consult your allergist about antihistamine discontinuation requirements for that procedure (Thermo Fisher 2024).
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis: One-time baseline testing
- Before starting immunotherapy: Once to confirm sensitization
- During immunotherapy: As recommended by allergist (typically yearly)
- Changing symptoms: When new or worsening allergic reactions occur
- Routine monitoring: Not typically needed for stable allergies
Why early detection matters
Early identification of mugwort allergy enables timely, targeted management that significantly improves quality of life. Untreated seasonal allergies can progress to chronic sinusitis, sleep disturbances, and poorly controlled asthma. Confirming your specific allergen triggers allows you to implement effective avoidance strategies during peak pollen season and pursue appropriate treatment options, including pharmacotherapy and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Studies show that early allergy diagnosis and management reduce symptom severity, decrease missed work or school days, and lower overall healthcare costs (AAAAI 2025). Mugwort sensitization rates vary geographically, making personalized testing especially valuable for individuals in high-prevalence regions.
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.
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.
Ragweed (Short/Commom) Allergy IgE Blood Test - Measures IgE antibodies in the blood to detect an allergy to short or common ragweed.
