Quick Facts
- Sample: Serum (0.3–0.5 mL blood draw)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Pinpoint your trigger - Detect specific IgE antibodies to red cedar pollen with clinical-grade ImmunoCAP® technology (Thermo Fisher 2024)
- Skip the doctor's office - Order online and collect samples at any local lab without physician referral
- Guide smarter treatment - Results support immunotherapy planning and targeted allergen avoidance strategies (Mayo Clinic 2019)
- Reduce symptom burden - Early diagnosis improves quality of life and lowers long-term healthcare costs (Labcorp 2025)
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals with seasonal respiratory symptoms worsening November through March
- People experiencing hay fever or asthma during red cedar pollen season
- Those seeking confirmation before starting allergen immunotherapy
- Residents in eastern US regions where red cedar trees are prevalent
- Anyone monitoring allergy progression or therapeutic response over time
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Complete your purchase without needing a doctor's prescription or referral
- Visit a lab - Bring your test requisition to any local collection site for a simple blood draw
- Review results - Receive your report within 3-5 business days.
FAQ
What allergen does this test measure? This test detects IgE antibodies specific to red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) pollen allergens.
Do I need to stop taking allergy medications? No medication restrictions are required before this blood test.
How is this different from skin testing? Blood testing measures serum IgE levels and correlates well with skin tests but doesn't require discontinuing medications (PubMed Central 2020).
Can I use this if I have multiple allergies? Yes, this test isolates red cedar sensitivity to help you understand which allergens trigger your symptoms.
What if my results are positive? Positive results should be discussed with an allergist to confirm clinical correlation and develop a management plan.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that react to red cedar pollen allergens. Red cedar, also known as Red Juniper (Juniperus virginiana), is a slow-growing evergreen native to North America, prevalent from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Using ImmunoCAP® Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology, this test provides quantitative assessment of IgE-mediated sensitization.
Red cedar trees release pollen from November to March, with peak dispersal in January and February, making this a significant cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis in affected regions (Mayo Clinic 2019).
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from this test if you experience seasonal respiratory symptoms during winter months in areas where red cedar grows. Common symptoms include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, red or watery eyes, itching, sore throat, and wheezing. Some individuals develop hay fever or asthma symptoms minutes to hours after pollen exposure.
This test is particularly valuable for confirming suspected red cedar allergy, guiding allergen-specific immunotherapy decisions, and monitoring treatment effectiveness over time (Thermo Fisher 2024).
In rare severe cases, exposure may trigger anaphylaxis—a life-threatening reaction requiring immediate medical attention. Warning signs include rapid pulse, swollen throat, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and extreme dizziness or loss of consciousness.
When should I order this test?
Consider ordering this test when you notice seasonal respiratory or asthma symptoms worsening during red cedar pollen season (November–March). You should also test if you're planning allergen immunotherapy and need confirmation of specific sensitivities, or if you want to monitor allergy progression or therapeutic response.
Early diagnosis enables proactive allergy management, helping you implement avoidance strategies and begin appropriate treatment before symptoms become severe.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will be reported as a quantitative IgE level measured in kilounits per liter (kU/L) and assigned a clinical class:
IgE Level: <0.10 kU/L
- Class: 0
- Interpretation: Negative/Undetectable — No IgE sensitization detected
IgE Level: 0.10–0.34 kU/L
- Class: 0/I
- Interpretation: Equivocal — Low borderline level, uncertain clinical significance
IgE Level: 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- Class: I
- Interpretation: Low Positive — Mild sensitization present
IgE Level: 0.70–3.49 kU/L
- Class: II
- Interpretation: Moderate Positive — Moderate sensitization
IgE Level: 3.50–17.49 kU/L
- Class: III
- Interpretation: High Positive — High sensitization likely to cause symptoms
IgE Level: 17.50–49.99 kU/L
- Class: IV
- Interpretation: Very High Positive — Very high sensitization
IgE Level: 50.00–100.00 kU/L
- Class: V
- Interpretation: Very High Positive — Extremely high sensitization
IgE Level: >100.00 kU/L
- Class: VI
- Interpretation: Very High Positive — Severe sensitization
Results ≥0.35 kU/L indicate sensitization to red cedar pollen, though clinical correlation with your symptom history is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Important: A positive test confirms IgE sensitization but must be interpreted alongside your clinical symptoms and exposure history. Consult with an allergist to confirm diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
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 fasting or dietary restrictions are required before this test. You do not need to discontinue allergy medications, as blood IgE testing is not affected by antihistamines or other allergy treatments—unlike skin prick tests.
Your blood sample will be collected in a serum separator tube, processed, and refrigerated for shipment to the laboratory for analysis.
How often should I get tested?
Initial diagnosis confirmation
- Suggested Interval: Once, when symptoms first appear
Pre-immunotherapy baseline
- Suggested Interval: Once before starting treatment
Monitoring immunotherapy progress
- Suggested Interval: Annually or as directed by allergist
Evaluating new seasonal symptoms
- Suggested Interval: As needed when symptoms change
Post-treatment assessment
- Suggested Interval: 1–2 years after completing immunotherapy
Most individuals only need testing once for initial diagnosis. Repeat testing may be recommended by your healthcare provider to monitor treatment effectiveness or if your allergy symptoms significantly change over time.
Why early detection matters
Early diagnosis and management of red cedar allergy reduce symptom burden, improve quality of life, and lower overall healthcare costs (Labcorp 2025). ImmunoCAP testing correlates well with skin testing and clinical presentation, providing reliable diagnostic information (PubMed Central 2020).
Identifying your specific allergen triggers allows you to implement targeted avoidance strategies during peak pollen seasons, optimize medication use, and make informed decisions about immunotherapy—a treatment that can provide long-term symptom relief and potentially modify the underlying allergic response.
Untreated seasonal allergies can progress over time, potentially leading to chronic sinusitis, sleep disturbances, reduced work productivity, and development of additional allergies or asthma.
Related tests you may consider
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE - Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Mountain Cedar Allergy IgE Blood Test - Measures the IgE antibody levels to detect a pollen allergy to Mountain Cedar.
Respiratory Allergen Panel Region 1 IgE Blood Test - Measures IgE antibodies in the blood to detect an allergy to various allergens commonly found in the Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont region.
