New England · Basic Food Allergy Test Panel
Basic Food Allergy Test Panel in Maine
Basic Food Allergy Test Panel can be ordered without a referral from your own doctor, and this guide covers what to expect. This panel uses a blood sample to look for antibodies linked to common food allergies. It screens for sensitivity to several foods, including milk, wheat, shrimp, peanuts, egg whites, soy, and walnuts.
Lab requirements in Maine
Here is what you need before ordering and completing the Basic Food Allergy Test Panel in ME. Review each item and confirm the details with the collection lab.
- Physician's order
- Included. A physician's order is required for lab testing and is provided for you by our partner's physicians — no referral from your own doctor is needed.
- Fasting
- Fasting is required for this test — follow the collection lab's instructions.
- Preparation
- Preparation instructions can vary by laboratory, so follow the specific directions provided by the collection site. Ask the lab if any medications or fasting rules apply before your sample…
- Sample & visit
- A blood and/or urine sample is collected; the visit usually takes about 10 minutes.
- Identification
- Bring the lab requisition form from your account. The collection lab may also ask for a government-issued photo ID.
- Turnaround
- 1-3 business days
- Availability
- Our partner lab does not serve ND, RI, NY, NJ, MD or HI. Confirm availability for your location with the collection lab.
Before you go
- Order your test before visiting a lab, then use the requisition form in your account.
- Print the requisition form, or fax it to the lab directly from your account.
- No scheduling is needed — visit the collection lab during its normal business hours.
- A blood and/or urine sample is collected; the visit usually takes about 10 minutes.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID in case the lab requests it.
- Results are posted to your secure account within 1–3 business days.
Requirements are summarized from our partner lab's published policies. Preparation and availability can change — confirm current instructions with the collection lab before your visit.
What this test is
The Basic Food Allergy Test Panel measures food-specific IgE antibodies in the blood. IgE is an immune protein that can be involved in allergic reactions to foods. Elevated results may suggest sensitivity, but they do not by themselves diagnose a food allergy.
What it measures
- Milk-specific IgE — antibody response to proteins in cow's milk
- Wheat-specific IgE — antibody response to wheat proteins
- Shrimp-specific IgE — antibody response to shrimp proteins
- Peanut-specific IgE — antibody response to peanut proteins
- Egg white-specific IgE — antibody response to proteins in egg white
- Soy-specific IgE — antibody response to soy proteins
- Walnut-specific IgE — antibody response to walnut proteins
What the test involves
A trained phlebotomist collects a small blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Why it is often ordered
A clinician may order this panel when a person reports symptoms after eating certain foods, such as hives, stomach upset, or breathing changes. It can help gather information alongside a medical history and other evaluations.
Preparation
Preparation instructions can vary by laboratory, so follow the specific directions provided by the collection site. Ask the lab if any medications or fasting rules apply before your sample is collected.
How results are reported
Results are typically reported as numeric antibody levels for each food, along with a qualitative interpretation such as negative, low, or elevated. Reference ranges and reporting formats differ by laboratory, so review your report with the ordering clinician.
Before you go
- Which foods are included in the panel
- Whether fasting or medication changes are needed
- How and when results will be delivered
Cities
Basic Food Allergy Test Panel in Maine communities
Choose your city for local context and to order this test.