What is the Sheep Milk IgE test?

The Sheep Milk IgE test is a blood test that measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to proteins found in sheep’s milk. IgE antibodies are involved in immediate-type allergic reactions, which can occur minutes to hours after exposure.

This test helps distinguish a true milk allergy from non-allergic intolerance. Sheep milk proteins are closely related to other animal milks, meaning reactions may occur even if symptoms seem inconsistent or mild.

Why do I need a Sheep Milk IgE test?

Allergy to sheep’s milk can cause a range of reactions, from mild skin or digestive symptoms to more severe systemic responses. Because sheep’s milk is sometimes considered an alternative to cow’s milk, allergy may be overlooked.

Testing is useful when symptoms occur after consuming sheep’s milk, cheese, yoghurt, or products made with sheep milk.

You may benefit from this test if you experience:

• Hives, itching, or skin rashes after dairy
• Lip, tongue, or throat swelling
• Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or vomiting
• Wheezing or breathing difficulty after milk products
• Symptoms after eating sheep milk cheese or yoghurt
• Known cow’s milk allergy with reactions to other milks

Benefits of the Sheep Milk IgE test

1. Identifies IgE-mediated sheep milk allergy
   Confirms allergic sensitisation to sheep milk proteins.
2. Differentiates allergy from intolerance
   Helps distinguish immune allergy from lactose intolerance.
3. Supports safe dietary planning
   Guides avoidance of triggering foods.
4. Assesses cross-reactivity risk
   Useful in people allergic to cow or goat milk.
5. Simple blood test
   No food challenge required.
6. Suitable for children and adults
   Can be used across all age groups.
7. Supports specialist allergy referral
   Aids clinical decision-making.
8. Improves long-term allergy management
   Supports education and safety planning.

Step-by-step – How we offer this test

Option 1: Clinic-based blood test (UK-wide)

• Choose your nearest UK clinic
• Attend your appointment
• A clinician draws a blood sample
• Sample analysed for sheep milk–specific IgE

Option 2: Home or hotel visit (+£60, UK-wide)

• A qualified phlebotomist comes to your location
• Blood sample taken at home or in your hotel
• No travel required
• Same laboratory processing and reporting

Your results explained

Low or negative Sheep Milk IgE

Low or undetectable IgE suggests no evidence of IgE-mediated sheep milk allergy.

Typical UK interpretation (negative):

• < 0.35 kU/L

Symptoms may still be due to intolerance or non-IgE reactions.

Borderline or low-positive Sheep Milk IgE

Borderline levels may indicate sensitisation without clear clinical allergy.

Typical UK interpretation (low-positive):

• 0.35 – 0.7 kU/L

Results should be interpreted alongside symptoms.

High Sheep Milk IgE

High IgE levels indicate allergic sensitisation and increased likelihood of clinical reactions.

Typical UK interpretation (positive):

• > 0.7 kU/L

Severity of reactions varies and is not predicted by IgE level alone.