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 This Test Measures
This test measures the level of plum-specific IgE antibodies in your blood (biomarker F255-IgE Plum). IgE is the antibody class most closely associated with typical, immediate-type food allergic reactions, so this test looks specifically for your immune system's IgE response to plum. It does not measure IgG or any other antibody class, and it does not test for any other food, fruit, or allergen. The result reflects sensitization to plum only and is intended to support, not replace, a broader clinical evaluation by a healthcare provider.
Benefits
- Measures plum-specific IgE with a single blood draw.
- Provides objective lab data to discuss with your provider.
- Requires no special preparation or fasting.
- Delivers results online for convenient access.
- Focuses specifically on plum, not a broad food panel.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have noticed symptoms after eating plums.
- Individuals working with a provider to investigate a possible plum allergy.
- People wanting objective data on plum-specific IgE sensitization.
- Individuals who experienced oral, skin, or digestive symptoms after plum exposure.
- People who had a more severe reaction after eating plums and want lab-based information to share with a provider.
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 isolates one biomarker, F255-IgE Plum, to detect IgE antibodies specific to plum. Unlike a broader food allergy panel, it does not measure other fruits, foods, or antibody classes such as IgG, so the result speaks only to plum sensitization rather than food allergies in general.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Symptoms tied to plum allergy can include tingling near the mouth, swelling, hives, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, and these typically appear within two hours of eating plums, though onset can occasionally be delayed by four to six hours or longer. This test may be relevant if you've noticed this kind of pattern after eating plums and want lab-based information to bring to a healthcare provider. In rare cases, symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as a rapid heart rate, throat swelling, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness, require immediate emergency medical attention rather than lab testing.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required before this test, and there is no fasting requirement.
4. How long does it take to get results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 5 days, though this may take longer due to weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
Interpreting your plum-specific IgE result depends on the exact value, your symptom history, and other clinical information, so it should be reviewed together with a qualified healthcare provider rather than on its own. This test measures IgE sensitization, which is not the same as a confirmed clinical food allergy, and a positive result does not by itself mean plums must be avoided, just as a negative result does not guarantee that plums can be eaten without risk. If your results fall outside the expected range, a healthcare provider can help determine appropriate next steps, which may include a clinical history review, additional evaluation, or further testing based on your individual situation.
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.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity can occur when your immune system recognizes proteins in one allergen that closely resemble proteins in another. This test measures only plum-specific IgE and does not test for the pollens, fruits, or other substances described below. The relationships noted here are not exhaustive, and they represent possible additional considerations rather than confirmed allergies, since having plum-specific IgE does not mean you will necessarily react to any of the items listed.
- Peach, apricot, and cherry: Plum belongs to the Prunoideae subfamily along with these fruits, and research has identified a shared protein component that can drive cross-reactivity among them in people with oral allergy symptoms.
- Lipid transfer protein (LTP) related foods: In people sensitized to LTP (a heat-stable protein found in plum skin), cross-reactivity has been reported with other LTP-containing foods, including other Rosaceae fruits like apple, tree nuts, peanuts, and some vegetables, and may be associated with more significant reactions.
- Birch pollen and related Rosaceae fruits (apple, pear, apricot, almond): In individuals with birch pollen allergy, cross-reactivity involving a heat-sensitive protein (PR-10) has been associated with mild oral allergy syndrome to plum and other Rosaceae fruits, typically limited to the mouth and throat.
Depending on your symptoms, reaction history, or a healthcare provider's guidance, testing for related allergens may also be worth discussing as part of a broader evaluation.
