Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation is required
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What's Included
This panel measures IgE antibody levels to six specific peanut protein components (peanut is also known as groundnut, or Arachis hypogaea).
- Ara h 1: IgE antibody test for this peanut storage protein.
- Ara h 2: IgE antibody test for this peanut storage protein.
- Ara h 3: IgE antibody test for this peanut storage protein.
- Ara h 6: IgE antibody test for this peanut storage protein.
- Ara h 8: IgE antibody test for this peanut protein component.
- Ara h 9: IgE antibody test for this peanut protein component.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibodies to six specific peanut proteins in one panel.
- Offers component-level detail beyond a single whole peanut result.
- Requires only a blood sample with no special preparation.
- Provides results within a defined turnaround window for easier planning.
- Consolidates six related peanut biomarkers into one convenient blood draw.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have experienced possible allergic symptoms after eating peanuts.
- Individuals working with a healthcare provider to evaluate a suspected peanut allergy.
- People seeking detailed insight into which specific peanut proteins they react to.
- Individuals who want component-level results rather than a single whole peanut value.
- People with a known peanut allergy exploring more detailed antibody information.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this panel?
This panel gives you a detailed breakdown of IgE antibody levels to six individual peanut proteins, rather than a single combined peanut result. Measuring these components separately can offer more specific information about which peanut proteins your immune system responds to. It does not by itself confirm a clinical food allergy or predict how severe a reaction might be.
2. What's included in this peanut component panel?
The panel measures IgE antibodies to Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3, Ara h 6, Ara h 8, and Ara h 9, six proteins found in peanuts. Each component is reported individually, so you can see antibody levels for each protein rather than one combined peanut score. No other foods or allergens are measured in this panel.
3. How does this panel differ from a standard peanut allergy test?
A standard whole peanut IgE test reports one overall antibody level for peanut as a whole. This panel instead breaks that response down into six individual peanut proteins, giving a more detailed view of which specific components are involved. Neither approach is inherently better, they simply provide different levels of detail.
4. Who should consider this panel, and when?
Consider this panel if you have noticed possible allergic symptoms after eating peanuts, such as those discussed with your healthcare provider, or if you and your provider want more detailed information than a single whole peanut result provides. It may also be relevant if you already know you react to peanuts and want a closer look at which specific proteins are involved.
5. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this panel. You can have your blood drawn without fasting or making any changes to your normal routine beforehand.
6. How long will it take to get my results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 5 days. This timeframe may take longer depending on weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
7. How should I interpret my results, and what should I do if one or more are abnormal?
Each of the six peanut protein results should be reviewed individually and in the context of your symptoms and history, not as a single combined score. A positive result for one component does not determine the result for another, and these IgE findings do not by themselves confirm a clinical peanut allergy, predict how severe a reaction could be, or guarantee that peanuts are unsafe or safe to eat. If one or more results fall outside the expected range, review them with a qualified healthcare provider, who can help place them in context with your history and symptoms before making any decisions about diet or further testing.
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.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes similar proteins across different foods, pollens, or other substances. This panel measures only the six peanut proteins listed in What's Included, and does not test for the pollens, foods, or other substances discussed below unless they are specifically listed above. The examples below are not exhaustive, but they may provide useful context for discussing your history, symptoms, or additional evaluation with your healthcare provider.
Birch pollen: Ara h 8 shares structural similarity with a major birch pollen protein, so people sensitized to birch pollen may also show antibody activity to Ara h 8, often without a true peanut allergy.
Apple, hazelnut, celery, and carrot: These foods can share proteins with birch pollen and Ara h 8, and have been associated with mild, localized oral allergy syndrome in some birch-sensitized individuals.
Peach and other stone fruits: Ara h 9 belongs to a protein family (lipid transfer proteins) found widely in plants, and cross-reactivity with peach and related fruits has been reported in the medical literature.
Tree nuts and other legumes: The storage proteins measured by Ara h 1, 2, 3, and 6 belong to protein families also found in some tree nuts and legumes, and shared sensitization patterns have been described, though this does not mean cross-reactivity is confirmed or automatic.
These relationships do not mean a person will necessarily react to every listed food, and a positive result on this panel does not predict reactions to allergens outside of it. Depending on your history, symptoms, or prior reactions, testing for related allergens may also be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
