Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Accurate diagnosis using FDA-cleared ImmunoCAP® technology with >85% sensitivity
- No doctor referral needed — order online and visit any local draw center
- Avoid severe reactions by identifying sardine allergy before symptoms escalate
- Clear action plan to manage diet and prevent accidental exposures
- Non-invasive alternative to risky oral food challenge tests
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing unexplained allergic symptoms after eating sardines or pilchards
- People with known seafood allergies seeking to identify specific fish triggers
- Anyone with family history of food allergies wanting proactive screening
- Those who've had mild reactions and want confirmation before exposure worsens
- Individuals planning dietary changes who need to clarify fish sensitivities
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Complete your purchase without a doctor's visit or referral
- Visit a lab - Get a quick blood draw at a convenient local collection center
- Receive results - Access your confidential report online within 3-5 business days.
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test detects IgE antibodies specific to sardine (pilchard) proteins, indicating whether your immune system is sensitized to these fish (Eurofins Viracor).
Will this test tell me how severe my allergy is? No. While elevated IgE levels confirm sensitization, they don't predict reaction severity or anaphylaxis risk. Clinical history is essential for interpretation.
Do I need to stop taking antihistamines before the test? Antihistamines don't affect IgE antibody levels, so you can continue your medications. Consult your physician if you have concerns.
What if I'm allergic to other fish too? Sardine allergy often indicates cross-reactivity with other bony fish due to shared parvalbumin protein. Consider a comprehensive Fish Allergy IgE Panel for broader screening.
How soon will I get my results? Results are typically available 3-5 business days after your blood sample reaches the laboratory.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Sardine/Pilchard Allergy IgE Blood Test measures Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to sardine and pilchard proteins in your blood. These antibodies indicate whether your immune system has become sensitized to these fish species. Using the highly accurate Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) method, this test helps diagnose IgE-mediated food allergies and confirms if sardines are triggering your allergic symptoms (Thermo Fisher Scientific).
Sardines and pilchards are small, oily fish in the herring family found in Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean waters. While they're nutritious—rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, calcium, and protein—they can trigger serious allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. Early and accurate identification helps you manage your diet proactively, reducing health risks from accidental exposures.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is valuable for anyone experiencing unexplained symptoms after consuming sardines, pilchards, or related fish products. You should consider testing if you've noticed tingling around your mouth, hives, digestive upset, or respiratory symptoms following seafood meals. Individuals with existing seafood allergies benefit from clarifying specific triggers, as fish allergies show significant cross-reactivity between species.
Health-conscious consumers seeking proactive allergy management will appreciate the convenience of direct-to-consumer access without requiring an initial physician referral. This is particularly important given that fish allergies affect an estimated 2-3% of the U.S. population and food allergy-related anaphylaxis cases are increasing at 9% annually (CDC 2023, AAAAI 2023). Early detection reduces emergency interventions by up to 50% through guided dietary avoidance.
When should I order a Sardine/Pilchard Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test if you've experienced allergic symptoms within minutes to two hours after eating sardines, pilchards, or products containing them. While most food allergy reactions occur quickly, some responses can be delayed up to four to six hours. Common symptoms include tingling or swelling around the mouth, hives, itching, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nasal congestion, or difficulty breathing.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of anaphylaxis: rapid heartbeat, swollen throat, difficulty breathing, extreme dizziness, or loss of consciousness. After any severe reaction, testing helps confirm the allergen and prevent future episodes. You should also test if you're experiencing unexplained allergic reactions after seafood consumption or if you need to clarify fish sensitivities before dietary changes.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show quantitative IgE antibody levels measured in kilounits per liter (kU/L). Values at or above 0.10 kU/L indicate sensitization to sardine/pilchard allergens. However, IgE levels alone don't predict reaction severity—clinical correlation with your symptoms and medical history is essential.
IgE Level: < 0.10 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No detectable sensitization
- Typical action: Sardine allergy unlikely; consider other allergens if symptoms persist
IgE Level: 0.10 – 0.34 kU/L
- What it means: Low positive – Minimal sensitization
- Typical action: Discuss with physician; may tolerate small amounts or have mild reactions
IgE Level: 0.35 – 0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Moderate positive – Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Likely allergic; dietary avoidance recommended with medical guidance
IgE Level: 0.70 – 3.49 kU/L
- What it means: High positive – Significant sensitization
- Typical action: Strong allergy indication; strict avoidance and emergency medication plan
IgE Level: ≥ 3.50 kU/L
- What it means: Very high positive – Very strong sensitization
- Typical action: High allergy risk; immediate allergist consultation and epinephrine prescription
Always review your results with a healthcare provider or allergist who can interpret them within the context of your complete medical history and symptoms.
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 is required before this blood test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. Continue taking your regular medications, including antihistamines, as they don't affect IgE antibody levels in your blood. If you have concerns about specific medications, consult your physician.
The blood draw requires a simple venipuncture into a serum gel tube. Approximately 0.5 mL of serum is needed for each allergen tested. Your sample will be processed by centrifugation to separate the serum, then tested using the ImmunoCAP® FEIA method for allergen-specific IgE detection.
How often should I get tested?
Initial diagnosis after suspected reaction
- One-time test to confirm sensitization
Monitoring known allergy with stable symptoms
- Repeat only if symptoms change significantly
Following immunotherapy treatment
- As directed by allergist, typically every 6–12 months
Childhood allergy being monitored for outgrowth
- Every 1–2 years or per physician recommendation
After prolonged allergen avoidance (years)
- Consider retesting if tolerance might have developed
Repeat testing is generally not necessary unless your clinical symptoms change, you're undergoing allergy treatment, or your doctor recommends monitoring. IgE levels can fluctuate, but changes don't always correlate with symptom severity.
Why early detection matters
Fish allergies, including sardine allergy, tend to persist throughout life and rarely resolve spontaneously. Unlike some childhood food allergies, fish allergies often continue into adulthood and carry significant risk for severe reactions. Accidental exposure can occur easily because fish proteins may hide in unexpected products—Worcestershire sauce, Caesar salad dressing, imitation crab, fish oil supplements, and various Asian sauces.
Cross-reactivity is another critical concern. Due to parvalbumin—a protein found in many fish species—individuals allergic to sardines typically react to other bony fish including herring, menhaden, pilchards, shad, and sprat. Early identification allows you to implement comprehensive avoidance strategies, read labels carefully, and prepare emergency action plans including epinephrine auto-injectors if prescribed.
With food allergy-related anaphylaxis increasing annually, accurate diagnosis empowers you to take control of your health. Studies show that early detection combined with dietary management reduces emergency interventions by up to 50% (Allergy Journal 2023).
Related tests you may consider
Codfish Allergy IgE Blood Test - Measures the IgE antibody levels in the blood to help detect a food allergy to codfish.
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE - Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Allergen Profile Shellfish Blood Test - Measures the IgE antibody levels in the blood to help detect an allergy to various common shellfish.
