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 allergen-specific IgE antibodies to sesame seed (also known as sesame or benne seed) in a blood sample. It reports on a single biomarker, F010-IgE Sesame Seed, which reflects your immune system's IgE response specifically to sesame.
When your immune system identifies sesame proteins as harmful, it can produce IgE antibodies against them. This test quantifies the amount of sesame-specific IgE antibody present in your blood sample, using a standard blood draw with no special collection requirements.
This is a single-allergen test focused exclusively on sesame. It does not test for other foods, seeds, or nuts, and it does not evaluate any antibody class other than IgE.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibody response to sesame specifically
- Uses a standard blood sample, no special prep needed
- Delivers results in as few as 3 to 5 business days
- Provides objective lab data to discuss with your provider
- Focuses on one clearly identified allergen for clarity
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have experienced symptoms after eating sesame or sesame-containing foods
- Individuals trying to identify whether sesame may be contributing to reactions
- People who eat foods that commonly contain sesame, such as bread, hummus, or tahini
- Those working with a healthcare provider to investigate a possible sesame allergy
- Individuals who want an objective blood measurement rather than relying on symptom tracking alone
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 allergen-specific IgE antibodies to sesame seed only, reported under the biomarker F010-IgE Sesame Seed. Unlike a food allergy panel that screens many allergens at once, this test is limited to sesame and does not provide results for other foods, seeds, or nuts. It also measures IgE specifically, not IgG or other antibody classes, so it should not be treated as interchangeable with tests that use a different methodology.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
Anyone who has noticed symptoms after eating sesame, tahini, or foods that commonly contain sesame (such as bread, hummus, or falafel) may want to discuss this test with their healthcare provider. It can also be relevant for people trying to understand a pattern of reactions where sesame is a suspected trigger. This test is not intended as a general screening tool for anyone simply curious about food allergies broadly.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required for this test. You can have the blood draw performed without fasting or adjusting your diet beforehand.
4. How long will it take to get my results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 5 business days after your sample is processed. This timeframe may extend due to weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
Interpreting an IgE result involves more than the number itself, it depends on your symptoms, exposure history, and overall clinical picture, which is why results are best reviewed with a healthcare provider. A detectable level of sesame-specific IgE does not by itself confirm a clinical food allergy, and it does not indicate how severe a reaction might be. If your results fall outside the expected range, your provider can help determine appropriate next steps, which may include further evaluation. This test does not diagnose a food allergy on its own or indicate whether sesame is safe or unsafe for you to eat.
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 for this test.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity can occur when the immune system recognizes proteins in one food that are structurally similar to proteins in another food, sometimes leading to an IgE response to both. This test measures only sesame-specific IgE and does not test for the additional foods listed below. The relationships described here are not an exhaustive list, and they represent possible additional considerations rather than confirmed allergies. Having a sesame allergy does not mean you will necessarily react to any of the items below. Depending on your symptoms, history, or previous reactions, your healthcare provider may help you decide whether evaluating related allergens is worth discussing.
- Tree nuts (walnut, cashew, macadamia, pistachio): Research has reported serologic cross-reactivity between sesame and several tree nuts, with some individuals also showing clinical reactions.
- Peanut: Studies have found that sesame shares protein similarities with peanut allergens, and clinical cross-reactivity has been reported in some sesame-allergic individuals.
- Hazelnut: Cross-reactivity between sesame and hazelnut has been documented, though clinical reactions to both are not universal among sensitized individuals.
- Poppy seed: Some sesame-sensitive individuals have shown clinical cross-allergenicity to poppy seed in reported cases.
- Rye grain and kiwi: Laboratory studies have shown in vitro cross-reactivity between sesame and these foods, though the clinical significance can vary.
These associations reflect patterns seen in medical research and do not mean a positive sesame result predicts a reaction to any of these items. If related allergen testing seems relevant based on your history or symptoms, that decision is best made together with your healthcare provider.
