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
- Identify wheat allergies quickly — get accurate results in just days
- Skip the doctor visit — order directly online without prescription needed
- Prevent severe reactions — early detection helps avoid dangerous anaphylaxis
- Distinguish from celiac disease — know if it's allergy or autoimmune
- Peace of mind — confidential results delivered directly to online account
- Convenient testing locations — blood draws available at local centers nationwide
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing allergic symptoms after eating wheat products
- Individuals with family history of food allergies seeking confirmation
- Those wanting to differentiate wheat allergy from celiac disease
- Parents concerned about children's reactions to wheat-containing foods
- Anyone needing documentation of wheat allergy for dietary management
- Individuals preparing for allergy immunotherapy treatment
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
- Visit a lab — get your blood drawn at any convenient location near you
- Get results — receive confidential results within 3-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? IgE antibodies specific to wheat proteins that indicate an allergic immune response.
Is this different from celiac disease testing? Yes, this detects IgE-mediated allergies while celiac involves autoimmune gluten reactions.
How accurate are the results? Highly accurate using sensitive fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) methodology (Mayo Clinic 2019).
Can I eat normally before the test? Yes, no fasting required, but avoid antihistamines which may affect results.
What if my results are positive? Consult an allergist for confirmatory testing and develop a wheat avoidance plan.
How common is wheat allergy? Wheat ranks among the five most common food allergens in children worldwide.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to wheat proteins in your blood. When you have a wheat allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies wheat proteins as harmful and produces IgE antibodies. These antibodies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals, causing allergic reactions ranging from mild symptoms like hives to severe anaphylaxis (NIH 2015).
Who would benefit from this test?
Anyone experiencing unexplained allergic symptoms after wheat exposure should consider this test. It's particularly valuable for people with tingling around the mouth, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness after eating wheat products. The test is also beneficial for individuals with family history of food allergies or those needing to distinguish between wheat allergy and other gluten-related disorders like celiac disease.
When should I order a Wheat Allergy Blood Test, IgE?
Order this test when you experience allergic symptoms within minutes to hours after eating wheat-containing foods. Common triggers include bread, pasta, baked goods, beer, and processed foods containing wheat flour. You should also consider testing if you've had previous allergic reactions to wheat or if healthcare providers recommend allergy testing as part of your diagnostic workup.
How do I interpret the results?
IgE < 0.35 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No wheat allergy detected
- Typical action: Continue normal wheat consumption
IgE 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Equivocal – Uncertain sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms, consider retesting
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L (Class 2)
- What it means: Low positive allergy
- Typical action: Avoid wheat, consult allergist
IgE 3.50–17.49 kU/L (Class 3)
- What it means: Moderate positive allergy
- Typical action: Strict wheat avoidance needed
IgE > 17.50 kU/L (Class 4+)
- What it means: High positive allergy
- Typical action: Complete avoidance, have an emergency action plan
Class 2 or higher IgE levels correlate strongly with clinical allergy symptoms and require dietary wheat elimination (Mayo Clinic 2019).
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 for this blood test. However, avoid taking antihistamines for several days before testing, as they may cause false negative results. Continue your normal diet and activities. If you're taking medications, consult your healthcare provider about whether any might affect test results. The blood draw is quick and performed using standard venipuncture techniques.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis – One-time testing usually sufficient
- Monitoring children – Every 2–3 years to assess tolerance development
- Before immunotherapy – As recommended by allergist
- Symptom changes – Retest when symptoms worsen or improve
- Treatment follow-up – Per healthcare provider guidance
Why early detection matters
Early identification of wheat allergy prevents severe allergic reactions and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Wheat allergy affects quality of life significantly, requiring careful dietary management and constant label reading. Prompt diagnosis allows you to work with allergists and nutritionists to develop safe eating plans while ensuring adequate nutrition. Early detection also reduces healthcare costs associated with emergency treatments and repeated diagnostic testing (Labcorp 2024).
Related tests you may consider
Gluten IgE Test— for more detailed allergen profiling if wheat results are positive.
Celiac Disease Profile — helps differentiate autoimmune celiac disease from IgE-mediated wheat allergy.
Total IgE Test — evaluates overall allergic sensitization if multiple food allergies are suspected.
