Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood serum (standard blood draw)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Accurate diagnosis – Measures orange-specific IgE antibodies with 85%+ accuracy
- No skin discomfort – Avoids painful skin prick tests and allergic reactions
- Fast results – Get answers in 2-5 business days to guide dietary decisions
- Convenient testing – Walk-in locations nationwide, no appointment needed
- Comprehensive insight – Distinguishes true allergy from food intolerance
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing symptoms after eating oranges or citrus products
- People with unexplained oral itching, hives, or swelling after meals
- Those with family history of food allergies seeking preventive screening
- Anyone needing to distinguish orange allergy from oral allergy syndrome
- Individuals monitoring allergy status during immunotherapy treatment
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Visit a lab - No appointment needed at participating locations nationwide
- Simple blood draw - Quick sample collection requiring only 0.3-0.5 mL serum
- Get results - Receive confidential results in 2-5 business days
FAQ
What does this test measure? It detects IgE antibodies specific to orange proteins in your blood, confirming true allergic sensitization.
How accurate is this blood test compared to skin testing? Both methods offer similar diagnostic value with 85%+ accuracy when correlated with clinical symptoms.
Can I take antihistamines before testing? Some antihistamines may affect results – consult your healthcare provider about timing.
Will this test detect orange intolerance? No, this test only identifies IgE-mediated allergies, not food intolerances or sensitivities.
What if I'm allergic to other citrus fruits? Consider our Citrus Allergy Panel to test for cross-reactivity with grapefruit, lemon, and lime.
How soon after exposure can I get tested? You can test anytime – IgE antibodies remain detectable regardless of recent orange consumption.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that specifically target orange proteins. When your immune system identifies orange proteins as harmful, it produces these antibodies, triggering allergic reactions through histamine release. The test uses Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology to provide highly sensitive and specific results, helping distinguish true orange allergy from food intolerance or oral allergy syndrome (Mayo Clinic 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test benefits individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after consuming oranges, including oral itching, hives, swelling, nausea, stomach pain, or respiratory issues. It's particularly valuable for people with suspected food allergies needing diagnostic clarification, those with family history of allergies, and individuals requiring confirmation before implementing dietary restrictions. Healthcare providers also use this test to assess anaphylaxis risk and guide immunotherapy decisions (CDC 2023).
When should I order Orange Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test if you experience symptoms like tingling in the mouth, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, itching, hives, congestion, or breathing difficulties after consuming oranges or citrus-containing products. These reactions typically occur within minutes to hours after exposure. Seek immediate medical attention for severe symptoms like rapid pulse, throat swelling, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness, which may indicate anaphylaxis (AAAAI 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
IgE < 0.10 kU/L
- What it means: No sensitization detected
- Typical action: Orange allergy unlikely
IgE 0.10–0.34 kU/L
- What it means: Very low sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms, discuss with provider
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Low sensitization
- Typical action: Consider dietary avoidance if symptomatic
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L
- What it means: Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Likely allergy, implement avoidance plan
IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L
- What it means: High sensitization
- Typical action: Definite allergy, strict avoidance needed
IgE > 17.50 kU/L
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Severe allergy risk, carry epinephrine
Higher IgE levels generally correlate with increased allergy risk, but clinical symptoms remain the most important factor in diagnosis.
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 is required for this test. However, inform your healthcare provider about any antihistamines or corticosteroids you're taking, as these medications may potentially affect results. Most medications don't interfere with IgE testing, but your provider can advise on optimal timing. You can eat oranges or citrus products before testing – recent consumption doesn't impact antibody detection (Nemours KidsHealth 2025).
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis: Once, when symptoms first appear
- Confirmed allergy: Rarely needed unless symptoms change
- During immunotherapy: As directed by allergist (typically annually)
- Children with allergies: Every 2–3 years to monitor outgrowing
- After severe reaction: Retest if considering reintroduction
Why early detection matters
Early diagnosis of orange allergy reduces emergency room visits due to anaphylaxis and enables timely dietary interventions. Approximately 5% of adults and 8% of children in the U.S. suffer from food allergies, making targeted testing important for health management (CDC 2023). Prompt identification allows you to implement avoidance strategies, maintain nutritional balance with alternative foods, and potentially prevent more severe allergic reactions from developing over time.
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.
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE - Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Lemon Allergy Blood Test- Measures the IgE antibody levels to detect a lemon allergy.
