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
- Pinpoint your grass allergy trigger - Quantitative detection of Timothy grass-specific IgE antibodies using ImmunoCAP® technology
- Skip the doctor's office - Order online and visit any convenient lab location near you
- Guide your treatment plan - Results help tailor allergen avoidance, medication choices, and immunotherapy eligibility
- No needles in skin - Simple blood draw is less uncomfortable than traditional skin prick testing
- Year-round testing - Unlike skin tests, results aren't affected by antihistamines or seasonal symptom severity
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing seasonal sneezing, runny nose, or congestion during grass pollen season (late spring to summer)
- People with asthma symptoms that worsen when grass pollen counts are high
- Those considering allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) who need confirmation of specific grass sensitization
- Pet owners who feed Timothy hay to guinea pigs, rabbits, or chinchillas and suspect allergic reactions
- Anyone seeking to confirm suspected grass allergy before starting long-term treatment plans
- People with year-round allergy symptoms wanting to identify specific triggers
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Purchase your test without a doctor's visit and receive a lab requisition form
- Visit a lab - Bring your form to any convenient patient service center for a quick blood draw
- Get results - Receive results securely online within 3-5 business days.
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test detects and quantifies IgE antibodies specific to Timothy grass pollen allergens in your blood.
Do I need to stop taking allergy medication before the test? No, you can continue taking antihistamines and other allergy medications—they won't affect blood test results.
How is this different from a skin prick test? Blood tests measure IgE antibodies directly and aren't influenced by medications, skin conditions, or recent allergen exposure (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Will this test tell me if I'm allergic to other grasses? This test is specific to Timothy grass, but Timothy is a representative marker for many common grass pollens. Your results may indicate cross-reactivity with similar grasses.
Can I take this test during any season? Yes, IgE antibodies remain detectable year-round, so you don't need to wait for pollen season to get tested.
What if my results are positive? Positive results indicate sensitization to Timothy grass. We recommend consulting an allergist to confirm clinical allergy and discuss treatment options.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that react specifically to Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) pollen allergens. Timothy grass is one of the most allergenic grasses and a leading cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma, affecting 15-30% of the global population (Mayo Clinic 2024).
The test uses ImmunoCAP® Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology, considered the gold standard for allergen-specific IgE testing. This quantitative method provides precise measurements that correlate well with clinical symptoms and skin prick test results (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2025). By identifying Timothy grass sensitization, this test supports accurate diagnosis, informs treatment decisions, and helps determine eligibility for allergen immunotherapy.
Who would benefit from this test?
Anyone experiencing allergy symptoms during late spring through early fall should consider this test. Timothy grass releases pollen from May through August in most regions, causing the classic hay fever symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure. You may also benefit if you have asthma that worsens seasonally or if you're considering long-term immunotherapy treatment.
Pet owners who feed Timothy hay to small animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, and chinchillas may develop allergies through repeated exposure while feeding or cleaning cages. If you notice symptoms appearing after these activities, testing can confirm whether Timothy grass is the trigger. Early identification enables better disease control and can reduce healthcare costs associated with untreated allergies (AAAAI 2025).
When should I order a Timothy grass allergy test?
Order this test when you experience recurring seasonal symptoms during grass pollen season or if you have year-round symptoms and want to identify specific triggers. Testing is particularly valuable before starting allergen immunotherapy, as confirmation of specific IgE sensitization is required to ensure treatment targets the right allergens.
You can take this test any time of year—unlike skin prick tests, blood IgE levels remain stable regardless of season or recent allergen exposure. This flexibility makes blood testing ideal if you want to plan ahead before pollen season begins or if you're currently experiencing severe symptoms that make skin testing uncomfortable.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show Timothy grass-specific IgE levels measured in kilounits per liter (kU/L). Here's what the values mean:
IgE Level: <0.10 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No detectable sensitization
- Typical action: Timothy grass allergy unlikely; consider other allergens
IgE Level: 0.10–0.34 kU/L
- What it means: Borderline/Equivocal – Low-level sensitization
- Typical action: Clinical correlation needed; symptoms may be mild or absent
IgE Level: 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Class 1 Positive – Low sensitization
- Typical action: Possible allergy; correlate with symptom timing and exposure
IgE Level: 0.70–3.49 kU/L
- What it means: Class 2 Positive – Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Likely allergy; allergen avoidance and treatment recommended
IgE Level: 3.50–17.49 kU/L
- What it means: Class 3 Positive – High sensitization
- Typical action: Probable allergy with significant symptoms; treatment advised
IgE Level: 17.50–49.99 kU/L
- What it means: Class 4 Positive – Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Strong allergy; comprehensive management plan recommended
IgE Level: 50.00–99.99 kU/L
- What it means: Class 5 Positive – Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Severe allergy; specialist consultation and immunotherapy consideration
IgE Level: ≥100 kU/L
- What it means: Class 6 Positive – Extremely high sensitization
- Typical action: Severe allergy; aggressive management and immunotherapy strongly advised
Remember: Positive IgE results indicate sensitization but must be interpreted alongside your symptoms—sensitization doesn't always mean clinical allergy (Thermo Fisher Scientific 2022).
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 needed for this blood test. You don't need to fast, and you can continue taking all medications including antihistamines, nasal sprays, and asthma medications. Blood IgE levels aren't affected by these treatments, unlike skin prick tests which require stopping antihistamines 3-7 days before testing.
The blood draw requires a standard 2-5 mL serum sample collected in a serum separator tube. The entire process takes just a few minutes at any patient service center. After collection, the sample is refrigerated and sent to a CAP/CLIA certified laboratory for analysis using ImmunoCAP® technology.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your clinical situation and treatment goals:
Initial diagnosis
- Suggested interval: Once to establish baseline sensitization
Before immunotherapy
- Suggested interval: Once to confirm eligibility and guide treatment selection
During immunotherapy
- Suggested interval: Not routinely needed; IgE may remain elevated despite symptom improvement
After immunotherapy completion
- Suggested interval: Optional at 1–2 years to assess long-term immune response changes
Symptom changes
- Suggested interval: Retest if symptoms significantly worsen or new seasonal patterns emerge
Treatment monitoring
- Suggested interval: Generally not recommended; clinical response is better than IgE levels for tracking progress
Why early detection matters
Untreated grass pollen allergies can significantly impact quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, reduced productivity, and missed work or school days. Chronic allergic rhinitis may also contribute to sinus infections, asthma development, and other respiratory complications. Early identification through IgE testing allows for timely intervention with targeted treatments.
Confirming your specific allergen triggers enables personalized management strategies including timed allergen avoidance (monitoring pollen forecasts), appropriate medication selection, and consideration of immunotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy is most effective when started early and can provide long-term symptom relief even after treatment ends. Studies show that early allergy identification improves disease control and decreases healthcare utilization (AAAAI 2025).
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.
IgE Inhalants Blood Test- Genova Test Kit- Evaluates serum IgE antibody levels to 14 region-specific common pollens and environmental inhalants. This is an ideal test for patients with suspected environmental and/or seasonal allergies.
IgE Inhalant Allergy Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit - Checks for allergic reactions to common airborne substances like pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites by measuring IgE antibodies in the blood, helping people understand and manage their allergy symptoms.
