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 F026 IgE Pork, the allergen-specific IgE antibody your immune system produces in response to pork. Pork is domestic pig meat, and this test may also relate to reactions from wild boar meat, since the two are closely related. The test uses a blood sample and reports the amount of pork-specific IgE antibodies present, giving a picture of immune sensitization to this specific allergen. This is a single food allergen test focused only on pork, and it does not measure IgG antibodies, other antibody classes, or any other food allergen.
Benefits
- Measures pork-specific IgE antibody levels from a single blood draw
- Provides objective lab data to discuss with your healthcare provider
- Requires no special fasting or pre-test preparation
- Delivers results online within a matter of days
- Offers a straightforward way to check IgE sensitization to pork specifically
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals who experience symptoms after eating pork or pork-containing products
- People wanting to explore whether pork sensitization may relate to their symptoms
- Individuals with a known cat allergy who also react after eating pork
- Anyone recently bitten by a tick who has since noticed new reactions to pork
- People who want objective lab data to bring into a conversation with their healthcare 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 measures F026 IgE Pork, the specific IgE antibody produced in response to pork. It is a single food allergen test, so it does not measure IgG antibodies, other food allergens, or provide a broader food allergy panel. If you are interested in other foods, a different, specific test would be needed for each one.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
People who notice symptoms such as hives, stomach upset, or swelling after eating pork or pork-containing foods may want to consider this test. It may also be relevant for those with a known cat allergy who react to pork, or for anyone who has recently been bitten by a tick and has since noticed new reactions to meat.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can proceed with your normal routine and diet leading up to your blood draw.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 3-5 business days. This timeframe may extend if there are weather delays, holidays, or other lab-related factors.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
Your result reflects the level of pork-specific IgE antibodies detected in your blood, but it does not by itself confirm a clinical food allergy or predict how severe a reaction might be. A healthcare provider can help interpret your result alongside your symptoms, history, and any other relevant 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.
If your result falls outside the expected range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who can help determine what, if any, additional evaluation may be appropriate. This test does not diagnose a food allergy, recommend a treatment plan, or indicate that pork must be eliminated from your diet.
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 allergen sources. This test measures only pork-specific IgE (F026) and does not test for any of the additional substances discussed below. The examples that follow are not exhaustive, and they represent possible additional considerations rather than confirmed allergies. Having a related sensitivity does not mean a person will necessarily experience a clinical reaction to it. Depending on your symptoms, history, or previous reactions, discussing related allergen testing with your healthcare provider may be worthwhile.
- Cat allergen (serum albumin/Fel d 2): In a recognized pattern called pork-cat syndrome, sensitization to cat serum albumin can cross-react with a similar protein in pork, and some individuals who react to cats may also react after eating pork.
- Other mammalian meats (such as beef): Because serum albumin proteins are structurally similar across mammals, cross-reactivity has been reported between pork and other red meats in some individuals with pork-cat syndrome.
- Dog dander: Dog serum albumin shares notable structural similarity with cat serum albumin, and has been associated in research with the same cross-reactive pathway seen in pork-cat syndrome.
- Poultry (such as chicken): Chicken serum albumin shares less structural similarity with cat serum albumin than pork does, so cross-reactivity with poultry has been reported far less frequently.
