Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays
Benefits
- Pinpoint your allergy risk — Measures IgE antibodies to hazelnut and key protein components for precise diagnosis
- Distinguish true allergy from cross-reactivity — Component testing identifies primary hazelnut allergy versus birch pollen reactions
- Predict reaction severity — Specific components correlate with mild oral symptoms versus risk of severe anaphylaxis
- No specialist referral needed — Convenient direct-to-consumer ordering with confidential results
- Fast, accurate results — Get answers within days to guide dietary choices and emergency preparedness
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after eating hazelnuts or hazelnut-containing foods
- People with other tree nut or birch pollen allergies seeking comprehensive risk assessment
- Parents monitoring children with suspected food allergies or family history of atopy
- Anyone planning allergy immunotherapy who needs detailed component profiling
- Health-conscious consumers wanting personalized insights for safer dietary management
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select the Hazelnut Allergy IgE test and schedule a convenient lab visit
- Visit the lab — A quick blood draw is collected by venipuncture; no fasting required
- Review your results — Receive results within 3–5 days online
FAQ
What does this test measure? Total hazelnut-specific IgE antibodies to assess sensitization and reaction risk.
Can I eat hazelnuts if my test is negative? A negative result suggests no current sensitization, but consult your doctor if you have symptoms, as allergies can develop over time.
How accurate is component testing? Component-resolved diagnostics achieve up to 90% sensitivity and specificity in predicting systemic reactions, significantly improving precision over whole-extract testing alone (NCBI PMC 2023).
Will antihistamines affect my results? Antihistamines do not typically interfere with IgE blood tests, but inform your provider of all medications before testing.
What if I'm allergic to other tree nuts? Consider a comprehensive Tree Nut Allergy Panel to identify multiple sensitivities and cross-reactivities for complete management.
Do I need a doctor's order? No specialist referral required—order directly and access results in a secure online account.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Hazelnut Allergy IgE Blood Test detects and quantifies specific immunoglobulin E antibodies that react to hazelnut proteins in your blood. It measures both total hazelnut-specific IgE and individual components like Cor a 1, Cor a 8, Cor a 9, and Cor a 14. These components help diagnose true hazelnut allergy, distinguish it from cross-reactivity with birch pollen, and predict whether you're at risk for mild oral symptoms or severe systemic reactions including anaphylaxis (Thermo Fisher Scientific 2024).
Hazelnut allergy ranks among the top five causes of serious food allergic reactions in Europe and the United States, with increasing prevalence in children (MDPI 2021). Accurate testing empowers you to make informed dietary decisions and prepare for emergency situations.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is ideal for anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming hazelnuts—such as swelling, itching, hives, runny eyes or nose, breathing difficulties, or tingling in the mouth or throat. You'll also benefit if you have other tree nut or pollen allergies and need detailed risk stratification. Parents monitoring children with suspected food allergies, individuals planning oral immunotherapy, or health-conscious consumers seeking personalized allergy insights will find this test valuable for guiding safer dietary choices and management strategies (NCBI PMC 2023).
When should I order a Hazelnut Allergy IgE Test?
Order this test when you experience allergic symptoms after eating hazelnuts, hazelnut-containing products like nut spreads or coffee liqueurs, or cross-reactive foods. It's also recommended before starting allergy immunotherapy to establish a detailed baseline component profile. If you have birch pollen allergy and notice oral symptoms with certain foods, this test can clarify whether you have primary hazelnut allergy or cross-reactivity (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2023).
How do I interpret the results?
Your results include both total hazelnut-specific IgE levels and individual component measurements, reported in kU/L units. Use this interpretation guide:
- <0.10 kU/L: Negative – No sensitization detected → Hazelnut allergy unlikely; monitor for new symptoms.
- 0.10–0.34 kU/L: Borderline – Minimal sensitization → Discuss with allergist; consider oral food challenge.
- 0.35–0.69 kU/L: Low positive – Mild sensitization → Possible mild reactions; cautious consumption with guidance.
- 0.70–3.49 kU/L: Moderate positive – Moderate sensitization → Increased reaction risk; avoid hazelnuts; consult allergist.
- 3.50–17.49 kU/L: High positive – Significant sensitization → High reaction risk; strict avoidance; carry epinephrine.
- ≥17.50 kU/L: Very high positive – Strong sensitization → Very high risk of severe reactions; emergency plan essential.
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 your blood draw. Inform your healthcare provider about any allergy medications or antihistamines you're taking, though these typically don't interfere with IgE blood testing. Avoid hazelnut consumption before testing is unnecessary—your IgE antibodies remain stable regardless of recent exposure. Simply schedule your lab visit at your convenience and arrive well-hydrated for easier blood collection.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual circumstances and clinical progress:
- Initial diagnosis / first-time testing: Once to establish baseline.
- Monitoring known allergy severity: Every 1–2 years or after significant reactions.
- During oral immunotherapy: Every 6–12 months per allergist guidance.
- Suspected allergy resolution (children): Every 2–3 years to assess outgrowth.
- New symptoms or cross-reactivity concerns: As needed based on clinical presentation.
Consult your allergist to determine the optimal testing schedule based on your symptom patterns, treatment plan, and quality of life goals (NCBI PMC 2023).
Why early detection matters
Early and accurate hazelnut allergy detection significantly reduces emergency department visits and improves quality of life through personalized avoidance strategies. Component-resolved diagnostics improve diagnostic precision, preventing unnecessary dietary restrictions for those with only mild cross-reactivity while identifying individuals at genuine risk for severe anaphylaxis who need emergency epinephrine. This testing approach helps you distinguish between primary hazelnut allergy and birch pollen cross-reactivity, guiding appropriate management—from simple avoidance to immunotherapy planning. Timely diagnosis empowers safer dietary choices, reduces anxiety around food exposure, and enables you to educate family members and caregivers about reading food labels and managing potential exposures effectively.
Related tests you may consider
Tree Nut and Peanut Allergy IgE Blood Test — Tests for almonds, coconut, peanut, pecans, sesame seed, hazelnut, and cashews to evaluate potential cross-reactive seed or nut allergies.
Peanut Allergy IgE Blood Test – Useful for assessing cross-reactivity between peanuts and tree nuts.
Total IgE Test — Measures overall allergic response tendency to contextualize specific allergen results
