Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation required
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days (may take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays)
What's Included
This test measures parsley-specific IgE antibodies (F086-IgE Parsley) in a blood sample. IgE antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to substances it identifies as potential threats, and elevated levels can indicate sensitization to parsley.
This is a whole-allergen IgE test for parsley only. It does not measure other foods, other antibody classes such as IgG, or any allergen components. The blood sample is analyzed in a laboratory to quantify parsley-specific IgE, giving you and your healthcare provider one data point to discuss alongside your symptoms and history.
Benefits
- Measures parsley-specific IgE antibodies from a single blood draw.
- Provides lab data to discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Requires no special preparation before testing.
- Results delivered online within the stated turnaround window.
- Focuses specifically on parsley, without unrelated allergen noise.
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals who suspect a reaction after eating parsley or foods containing it.
- People working with a healthcare provider to investigate possible parsley sensitization.
- Individuals who experience symptoms after exposure to fresh or dried parsley.
- Those who want lab-based information specific to parsley before further evaluation.
- People whose healthcare provider has recommended parsley-specific IgE testing.
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 parsley-specific IgE antibodies (F086-IgE Parsley) using a blood sample. Unlike broader food allergy panels that screen many foods at once, this test focuses solely on parsley, and it does not measure IgG antibodies or any other allergen components.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
People who notice symptoms after eating or handling parsley, or who are investigating a suspected parsley sensitivity with a healthcare provider, may find this test relevant. It's intended as one piece of information within a broader evaluation, not a standalone diagnostic tool.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required before this blood draw. You can go about your normal routine, including eating and drinking, prior to your appointment.
4. How quickly will I get results, and how should I interpret them?
Results are typically available in 3-5 business days, though weather, holidays, or lab delays may extend this window. Interpreting your result depends on your parsley-specific IgE level, your symptom history, and other clinical information, so a laboratory result alone does not confirm or rule out a clinical food allergy, predict reaction severity, or determine whether parsley is safe for you to eat. If your result falls outside the expected range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who may consider your history and symptoms before recommending any further steps. 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.
5. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
Discuss any unexpected result with a qualified healthcare provider, who can weigh it against your symptoms and history. This test does not diagnose a food allergy, and any decisions about diet, medication, or additional testing should be made with your provider's guidance rather than based on this result alone.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity can occur when the immune system recognizes proteins in one substance that closely resemble proteins in another, sometimes leading to reactions to foods, pollens, or other substances beyond the one originally tested. This test measures only parsley-specific IgE and does not test for any of the additional items discussed below. The examples that follow are not exhaustive, and they represent possible relationships rather than confirmed allergies. Having a positive parsley IgE result does not mean a person will necessarily react to any of the substances listed. Depending on your history, symptoms, or healthcare provider's guidance, testing for related allergens may also be considered.
- Celery, carrot, fennel, and coriander: These Apiaceae family foods share allergenic proteins with parsley, and cross-reactivity among them has been reported, particularly in a pattern sometimes described as celery-birch-mugwort-spice syndrome.
- Birch pollen: Some parsley allergenic proteins resemble birch pollen proteins (Bet v 1 homologues), and individuals sensitized to birch pollen may show associated reactivity to parsley and related spices.
- Mugwort pollen: Mugwort-sensitized individuals have been reported to develop food reactions to parsley and other Apiaceae spices, linked to shared profilin proteins and other cross-reactive structures.
If you have a known pollen allergy or notice reactions to other Apiaceae foods, this may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider as part of a broader evaluation.
