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 This Test Measures
This test measures the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies to pine nuts (also known as pignoles, pignol, pinoli, piñon, pignolia, or Indian nut) in a blood sample. The biomarker tested is F253-IgE Pine Nut, Pignoles.
Pine nuts are the edible seeds of certain pine trees. IgE antibodies are produced by the immune system and are involved in allergic reactions. This test looks only at IgE to pine nuts and does not measure other foods, allergens, or antibody classes.
An IgE result shows whether your immune system has produced antibodies to pine nuts. It is not a diagnosis of a food allergy on its own. Your healthcare provider considers it alongside your history and symptoms.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibodies specific to pine nuts.
- Uses a simple blood sample.
- Requires no special preparation.
- Provides results online in 3-5 business days.
- Gives you information to review with your healthcare provider.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have had symptoms such as itching, hives, or stomach pain after eating pine nuts.
- People who regularly eat foods that may contain pine nuts, such as pesto or sauces.
- People who want to discuss possible pine nut sensitization with their healthcare provider.
- People whose healthcare provider has suggested looking at pine nut IgE.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this test measure, and what does it tell me?
It measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies to pine nuts in your blood. Your healthcare provider can use the result, along with your history and symptoms, to evaluate whether your immune system has become sensitized to pine nuts. It does not test other foods, and it does not confirm a food allergy on its own.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
If you have noticed symptoms such as coughing, swelling lips, hives, nausea, or trouble breathing after eating foods that may contain pine nuts, this test may be relevant. Pine nuts can appear in cookies, breads, sauces, stuffings, and nut mixes, so checking ingredients matters. Seek urgent medical care for severe symptoms.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation required.
4. How quickly will I get my results?
Expect results in 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
A result reflects the level of IgE antibodies to pine nuts in your blood. It cannot show how severe a reaction might be, and it does not on its own confirm or rule out a food allergy. Review your result with a qualified healthcare provider, who can consider your symptoms and history and decide whether further evaluation is appropriate.
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 required.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes similar proteins in different foods or substances. This test measures only IgE to pine nuts and does not test for any of the items listed below. These examples are not exhaustive, and they are possible considerations rather than confirmed allergies. Depending on your history, symptoms, or your healthcare provider's guidance, related allergen testing may be worth discussing.
- Peanut: Some research has reported similarities between pine nut and peanut allergens, though the clinical significance is not well established.
- Almond: Shared allergenic features with almonds have been described in some reports, and a person may not necessarily react to both.
- Other tree nuts: Some people with tree nut allergies have also reported reactions to pine nuts, though evidence is limited and varies from person to person.
