Kiwi IgE
Private Kiwi IgE blood test in London for £55, measuring one food-allergy marker with results expected in around 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Kiwi IgE
The Kiwi IgE blood test measures specific IgE antibodies directed against kiwi fruit proteins and can support investigation of an IgE-mediated kiwi allergy.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Kiwi IgE level.
IgE-mediated food allergy occurs when the immune system becomes sensitised to particular food proteins and produces specific IgE antibodies against them.
When the food is subsequently eaten, the immune response can produce symptoms ranging from localised itching in the mouth to hives, gastrointestinal symptoms or, less commonly, a severe systemic allergic reaction.
A positive Kiwi IgE result demonstrates sensitisation, but sensitisation is not exactly the same as clinical allergy.
Some people have measurable specific IgE without developing symptoms when they eat the food.
The result must therefore be interpreted alongside a detailed history of what happened after kiwi exposure.
The concentration of specific IgE can help estimate the likelihood of clinically relevant sensitisation, but it does not reliably predict how severe a future reaction will be.
Kiwi allergy can also occur as part of pollen-food syndrome, particularly through cross-reactivity with certain plant proteins.
There is also recognised cross-reactivity between kiwi and latex in some people, sometimes referred to as latex-fruit syndrome.
Where the clinical history is complex, additional allergen-component testing or supervised specialist assessment may be appropriate.
A blood IgE test avoids deliberately exposing the person to kiwi and can be useful when skin testing is unsuitable.
What Does the Kiwi IgE Test Check?
This test measures the immune system's specific IgE response to kiwi proteins and provides evidence of allergic sensitisation. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Kiwi IgE level
Measures kiwi-specific IgE antibodies in blood to support assessment of IgE-mediated sensitisation to kiwi fruit.
Who May Benefit From the Kiwi IgE Test?
Kiwi IgE testing may be useful when symptoms repeatedly occur after eating or handling kiwi or where cross-reactivity with pollen or latex is suspected.
People who experience symptoms shortly after eating kiwi - A consistent immediate reaction makes specific IgE testing clinically relevant.
People with itching or tingling in the mouth after kiwi - Oral symptoms may occur with direct kiwi allergy or pollen-food syndrome.
People who develop hives after eating kiwi - Urticaria can be part of an IgE-mediated food reaction.
People with swelling of the lips or tongue after kiwi exposure - These symptoms warrant appropriate allergy assessment.
People with pollen allergy and reactions to fresh fruit - Cross-reactive plant proteins can contribute to pollen-food syndrome.
People with latex allergy and food reactions - Kiwi can cross-react with latex-associated allergens in some individuals.
People who cannot undergo skin-prick testing - Serum specific IgE provides an alternative method of assessing sensitisation.
People with a previous positive allergy test requiring reassessment - Repeat testing may occasionally be useful alongside clinical history.
How to Prepare
Do not intentionally expose yourself to kiwi before the blood test.
The test is designed to measure antibodies already present in the blood and does not require an allergic reaction to be triggered.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Kiwi IgE Test
IgE-mediated food-allergy symptoms usually occur relatively quickly after exposure, although the type and severity vary between individuals.
Itching or tingling inside the mouth - This is common in pollen-food syndrome and can occur after fresh kiwi.
Swelling of the lips or tongue - Localised swelling can form part of an IgE-mediated reaction.
Hives or an itchy skin rash - Urticaria can occur after allergen exposure.
Nausea or abdominal discomfort shortly after kiwi - Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur as part of food allergy.
Vomiting after kiwi exposure - Immediate vomiting can occur in some allergic reactions.
Wheezing or breathing difficulty - Respiratory symptoms can indicate a more significant allergic reaction.
Dizziness or collapse following exposure - Cardiovascular symptoms can occur during anaphylaxis.
Repeated reactions to kiwi with known latex or pollen allergy - Cross-reactivity may be relevant.
Difficulty breathing, throat tightness, collapse or rapidly progressive swelling after kiwi exposure can represent anaphylaxis and requires emergency treatment.
Do not deliberately eat kiwi to confirm an allergy outside a medically supervised setting if there has been a history of significant reaction.
How to Book Your Kiwi IgE Test
The Kiwi IgE blood test can be booked privately when a kiwi allergy or relevant cross-reactive food allergy is being investigated.
Choose the Kiwi IgE
Select the individual Kiwi IgE blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy depending on location and suitability.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood specimen.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is analysed for kiwi-specific IgE antibodies.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted alongside your allergy history.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current expected turnaround for Kiwi IgE is approximately 1 business day after your sample reaches the laboratory.
Specific-IgE testing is performed through a specialist allergy laboratory pathway.
The sample undergoes analysis, laboratory quality control and result authorisation before reporting.
Turnaround begins from laboratory receipt rather than from the exact time of blood collection.
Occasional repeat analysis or specimen issues can extend the expected reporting period.
Understanding Your Results
A low or undetectable result means the laboratory did not identify significant kiwi-specific IgE at the assay threshold.
This makes IgE sensitisation less likely but does not absolutely exclude allergy, particularly where the clinical history is strongly suggestive.
A positive result indicates sensitisation to kiwi proteins.
Sensitisation alone does not prove that eating kiwi will cause clinical symptoms.
Higher specific-IgE concentrations can increase the likelihood that sensitisation is clinically relevant, but the number cannot predict the severity of a future reaction.
Interpretation should therefore consider reaction history, other allergies, cross-reactivity and any additional component or specialist testing.
Where diagnosis remains uncertain, an allergist may consider further investigations or a supervised food challenge.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
This test provides targeted assessment of one food allergen without deliberately exposing the patient to kiwi.
Specific kiwi allergy testing - Measures IgE antibodies directed against kiwi proteins.
No food challenge required - Blood can be tested without deliberately eating kiwi.
Useful in pollen-food syndrome - Can support assessment where fruit reactions occur alongside pollen allergy.
Relevant to latex-fruit cross-reactivity - Kiwi is associated with latex-related food reactions in some people.
Suitable when skin testing is difficult - Serum IgE is not affected by antihistamines in the same way as skin-prick testing.
Fast laboratory results - Current turnaround is approximately 1 business day.
Private testing in London - Professional blood collection can be arranged.
Clear pricing - The Kiwi IgE test costs £55.
Private Kiwi IgE Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Kiwi IgE blood testing in London for people requiring assessment of possible IgE-mediated kiwi allergy.
The test costs £55 and measures 1 biomarker: Kiwi IgE level.
Results are expected approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
A positive result should be interpreted as evidence of sensitisation rather than automatic confirmation of clinical food allergy.